EASTLEIGH SHOWS THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS ARE THE GREEN PARTY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT - HUHNE

10.56.09am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Feb 2007

The Liberal Democrats are the greenest party in local Government, according to a recent survey of environmental activities in local authorities by the Guardian newspaper.

An analysis of the survey results shows that Lib Dem councils were nearly twice as likely to be selected as among "green leaders" as Labour councils and four times as likely as Tory councils.

The Liberal Democrats are the greenest party in local Government

Some 15 per cent of Lib Dem councils were held up for praise, compared with 8 per cent of Labour councils and just 4 per cent of Conservative councils.

The Guardian praised Liberal Democrat Uttlesford district council in Essex who gave climate change as one reason for turning down plans for a huge expansion of Stansted airport.

Commenting, Chris Huhhe MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

"Liberal Democrats lead the way on environmental issues in reality not rhetoric. For example, my own Eastleigh Borough has seen the Liberal Democrat group that controls the council pioneering on green issues for many years including a wind-powered visitor centre in one of our country parks, the sixth highest recycling rate out of 393 English councils in 2005-6 and a new combined heat and power plant in the Fleming park leisure centre that will also heat the civic offices.

"Sutton has set the pace with the BedZed low carbon housing, York with its Eco-depot, Chesterfield with ground source thermally heated spec-built offices, and Woking with its Combined Heat and Power plant and electricity supply company. Almost every Lib Dem council has a story of environmental innovation to tell.

"Labour is going backwards on the environment, with carbon emissions rising since 1997. While the Tories, under David Cameron, are skilled at turning out warm words and support for targets but have yet to propose a single firm measure that will deliver cuts in carbon emissions.

"Only the Liberal Democrats have brought forward clear proposals to make our taxes greener and fairer, but not higher, to safeguard the planet. What is more, as this survey demonstrates, it is the Liberal Democrats who are setting the pace and practising what we preach in local government."