Green Conservatives? Don't make us laugh!! (Hexham Liberal Democrats)

Hexham Liberal Democrats <info@hexhamlibdems.org.uk>

Green Conservatives? Don't make us laugh!!

February 20, 2008 5:02 PM

Tom Appleby

Conservative Party leader, David Cameron is keen to push the green agenda at every opportunity. So why is it that the local Hexham Conservative Party is the complete anti-thesis of their central party when it comes to the green agenda?

This is no longer simply a political dig at the opposition by the LibDems but has recently become public with Conservative councillors making public excuses as to why Tynedale cannot even attempt to increase recycling and now we are to learn that the amount of recyclable waste we were once allowed to place in our grey bins is to be reduced. It is becoming increasingly confusing to the public what can and cannot be recycled and the majority of people are starting to think that the only thing left are newspapers.

We are told that the reason is one of cost but Tynedale remains one of the richest councils in the country but it would appear that it is no longer even trying to meet recycling targets. LibDem suggestions for improved recycling and extending the scheme to local businesses are always blocked and attacked by the Tory party and this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Renewable energy schemes are constantly being blocked at planning by the Conservative councillors. LibDem councillors are not even allowed to discuss alternative suggestions for schemes by setting conditions such as size, type or colour without being quickly silenced although we are allowed to discuss similar issues when the plan is for housing or extensions. Cllr. Nick Appleby commented, "We even had to threaten legal action to gain seats on the climate change working group after political manoeuvrings by the local Tory party tried to ensure that there would be no LibDem questioning to anti-green policies."

LibDem councillors, Tom and Nick Appleby would like to know if David Cameron is aware of the anti-green agenda being implemented by the local Hexham Conservative party and whether other members of the local party are aware of this divergence from their own central party's green agenda. Tom had this to say, "The environment is of cross party concern, beyond politics and it is astounding that the local Hexham Conservative party should be failing in its duty to implement policies that all central parties, including their own, support." Nick added, "It is unbelievable that the Tory cabinet, of one of the richest councils in the country, is putting profitability above recycling items such as plastics, glass, and cardboard as well as blocking applications for renewable energy sources."