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Tory manifesto reaction, FOE pledges to fight tube sell-off
2 April 1997
Friends of the Earth pledged itself to fight the Conservative Party's plans to privatise London Underground which were included in its manifesto today [1].
Charles Secrett, Executive Director at Friends of the Earth said:
"Maintaining the integration of the London Underground is imperative if traffic is to be reduced in the capital. Friends of the Earth will help build a broad-based coalition to stop tube privatisation, should the Conservatives be re-elected".
Friends of the Earth also contrasted the Conservatives pledge "to make it easier for people to travel by air" with its claim "to provide leadership in Europe and internationally on environmental issues".
Mr Secrett added:
"Aircraft emit the same pollutants as cars. Any strategy to protect the world's climate must recognise that the increasing global demand for air travel is unsustainable. The Conservatives have completely failed to accept this."
Summarising his comments on the Conservative manifesto, Mr Secrett said:
"The Conservative general election manifesto is an environmental failure. There are no tough new targets or action programmes to curb pollution and waste, and protect wild habitats. There should be. After eighteen years in Government, the Tories have delivered some good green improvements - this manifesto should have built on them for the future.
Where are the commitments to boost public transport, energy conservation,organic farming, pollution control and waste reduction, which are good for the economy as well as the environment. Programmes like these are proven winners for creating jobs, make industry more competitive, improving public health and enabling the UK to lead international environmental negotiations.
The Conservatives may have forgotten that the green agenda delivers solutions to mainstream problems. But the electorate won't - they want a strong economy and a clean environment. They are not going to get them from this manifesto."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Dec 2008
