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Labour MP in Wales scornful of UK nuclear policy

Welsh MP attacks Government’s nuclear policy, by David Williamson, Western Mail, 19 May 11,  LABOUR MP Paul Flynn yesterday urged Prime Minister David Cameron to abandon the “national virility symbol” of nuclear missiles and challenged Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne to reject a new generation of nuclear power stations. 

The Newport West MP made his attack on the UK Government’s support for nuclear- based weapons and energy in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon.

He asked the Prime Minister: “Why continue to waste billions on a national virility symbol that has played no part in any of the military operations that we have taken part in over the last seven years, and is unlikely to play any part in the future? Does it not give justification and encouragement to other countries in acquiring their own nuclear weapons?”

The challenge came on the same day it was revealed Tory Defence Secretary Liam Fox has given the go-ahead for initial work to start on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system……… Turning to nuclear energy, Mr Flynn attacked the conclusion of the UK’s nuclear chief inspector, Mike Weightman, that the crisis at Japan’s Fukushima plant should not curtail Britain’s power stations.

He said: “The nightmare of Fukushima continues and intensifies. In the past seven days, the no-go area has been extended from 20km to 30km, and the residents of the towns of Kawamata and Iitate have been expelled from their homes.

“There is now proof that the greatly feared meltdown has taken place and it is out of control.”

Criticising Mr Weightman’s report, he said: “This is not about science; this is about spin and PR. The whole reason for putting out the report so prematurely is to shore-up collapsing public opinion and investor opinion…

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/05/19/welsh-mp-attacks-government-s-nuclear-policy-91466-28721664/#ixzz1MrGmxd2C

May 20, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK