Rethink needed on Nuclear Power, say Lib Dems

8.40.34am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Nov 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has hit out at the Government's plans for new nuclear power stations following reports that only one existing nuclear plant is currently operating normally.

British Energy, who run Britain's nuclear power stations, have admitted to a whole series of problems at their power stations, including 90 defects at one and leaks at another. The news means that it is unlikely that the planned privatisation of British Energy will be viable.

Commenting, John Leech MP said:

"This is further evidence against the governments crazy insistence on nuclear as the answer to Britain's future energy needs."

"Nuclear power is expensive and dangerous and we still do not know the true cost of disposing of all the radioactive waste it produces."

"If our existing nuclear power stations are leaking and economically unviable, then we should not be building more."

"The answer is for much more emphasis on renewable energy and energy saving, not more nuclear."

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