Green Party supports Vestas plant occupation

21 July 2009

Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party, has sent a message of support to workers taking part in the occupation of the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant.

Lucas has represented the Isle of Wight in the European Parliament since 1999.

The Vestas plant is currently threatened with closure, and Lucas has called on the government to step in with financial aid to keep it open. 

Lucas said: "I give my full support to the campaign to stop the closure of the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant. The decision to close the facility represents a spectacular failure by Government ministers to adequately promote green industries - and protect the future of manufacturing in this country. This isn't just a huge blow for the 600 skilled British workers who are set to lose their jobs - it destroys any hope the UK may have had for establishing itself in the eyes of the world as being at the forefront of technological efforts to create a greener and more sustainable future."

"At a time when the number of people out of work is increasing, it is unforgivable that the Government has singularly failed to offer coherent policy on the future of the renewable energy industry. This is an industry which could provide hundreds of thousands of good quality, green collar jobs for skilled workers, taking full advantage of the UK's proud manufacturing heritage, while simultaneously addressing the ever-present threat of climate change."

"We should be seizing the opportunity to create a renewable energy revolution through a favourable policy environment and massive investment in the new technologies that can see us through a transition towards a more environmentally and economically stable economy."

Dr Lucas concluded: "The Government can make a genuine start along this road by pledging financial aid to help keep the Isle of Wight's Vestas plant open for business - and prove that its rhetoric on renewable energy is more than just hot air."

There will be an emergency demonstration this Wednesday, 22nd July, 6.00pm, outside the Department for Energy and Climate Change's offices at 3 Whitehall Place, near to Trafalgar Square.

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Notes to Editors

For more information on the work of Caroline Lucas, please contact Melissa Freeman on 0207 407 9935 / 07950 382149 or carolinepress@greenmeps.org.uk or look at: www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk

 

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