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Lib dem manifesto: "the greenest ever" says foe

4 April 1997

Friends of the Earth today welcomed the Liberal Democrat manifesto as the greenest ever published by any of the three main parties.

Charles Secrett, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth:
"This is the greenest manifesto ever produced by any major party in the UK. It is very good news for the environment, the economy and everybody's quality of life.

Most significantly, the Liberal Democrats have said how taxation, public expenditure and regulation will be used to cut pollution, conserve resources and protect wildlife, and they have set many tough targets for environmental action.

There are five major green tax reforms promised to promote cleaner and more fuel efficient cars, to boost energy saving goods and materials, to cut global warming pollution and to encourage development away from green field sites.

Equally important are the Liberal Democrat's six public expenditure commitments to green energy, transport, agriculture and overseas aid. They include ending subsidies for nuclear power and switching this money to develop renewable energy supplies; funding a National Homes Insulation Programme starting with 2 million lowest income homes;giving local authorities urban road pricing powers and using the money to fund public transport; keeping London Underground in public ownership; establishing Countryside Management Contracts for farmers to grow high quality food, protect habitats and go organic; and, spending 0.7% of GNP on development aid within 10 years.

There are things missing. In particular, we are disappointed that there no specific targets to cut other forms of waste and pollution, to reduce traffic levels or to boost recycling and reuse rates. FOE also regrets there is no commitment to introduce environmental rights for all citizens or review the roads programme.

Overall, each of the three main parties have now produced their greenest manifetos to date. 1997 is becoming the breakthrough election year for environmental issues. Finally, the environmental agenda is being treated as politically significant and a mainstream concern - just as it should be."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

Last modified: Dec 2008