Difference between revisions of "The UK Cabinet 2005-06: Nuclear Views"

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(The Pro-Nuclear Cabinet)
(The Pro-Nuclear Cabinet)
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==The Pro-Nuclear Cabinet==
 
==The Pro-Nuclear Cabinet==
  
The Cabinet is seen as pro-nuclear. In a study undertaken by ''The Times'' newspaper, of the 22 Cabinet members, some 19 are seen as broadly favourable with only Margaret Beckett; Peter Hain and Patricia Hewitt as undecided. [''The Times'' (2005) The Nuclear Cabinet, 23 November]. ''The Times'' gave three stars if Cabinet members were "Committed" to nuclear power; two if  they were "For" it and one if they were "Wary". The results were as follows:
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The Cabinet is seen as pro-nuclear. In a study undertaken by ''The Times'' newspaper, of the 22 Cabinet members, some 19 are seen as broadly favourable with only Margaret Beckett; Peter Hain and Patricia Hewitt as undecided. {{ref|The Times}}. ''The Times'' gave three stars if Cabinet members were "Committed" to nuclear power; two if  they were "For" it and one if they were "Wary". The results were as follows:
  
 
TONY BLAIR ***
 
TONY BLAIR ***

Revision as of 16:10, 28 February 2006

The Pro-Nuclear Cabinet

The Cabinet is seen as pro-nuclear. In a study undertaken by The Times newspaper, of the 22 Cabinet members, some 19 are seen as broadly favourable with only Margaret Beckett; Peter Hain and Patricia Hewitt as undecided. Times. The Times gave three stars if Cabinet members were "Committed" to nuclear power; two if they were "For" it and one if they were "Wary". The results were as follows:

TONY BLAIR ***

Believes all arguments point to nuclear power as answer to security of energy supply and lower carbon emissions

JOHN PRESCOTT (Deputy Prime Minister) **

Takes pragmatic view and believes energy gap must be met

GORDON BROWN (Chancellor) **

Believes potential longterm benefits outweigh costs but keen to seek consensus with green lobby

JACK STRAW (Foreign Secretary) **

Provided the Government's review makes a realistic case, he is likely to back it

MARGARET BECKETT (Environment Secretary) *

Persuadable. Important departmental voice on environmental side

ALISTAIR DARLING (Transport Secretary) **

Practical minister likely to support nuclear power if the case is made

JOHN REID (Defence Secretary) **

Heading separate consultation on Trident missiles, so likely to be keen

GEOFF HOON (Leader of the Commons) **

Familiar with nuclear issues as former Defence Secretary

PATRICIA HEWITT (Health Secretary) *

Deferred issue as Trade Secretary in 2003 White Paper. Wants more done on renewables

TESSA JOWELL (Culture Secretary) *

Loyalist likely to follow Blair's lead

HILARY ARMSTRONG (Chief Whip) **

Highly pragmatic and likely to side with nuclear power provided convincing case is put

CHARLES CLARKE (Home Secretary) **

Very interested in environmental issues but pragmatic in terms of national energy supply

PETER HAIN (Northern Ireland Secretary) *

Not opposed outright but chief concern is long-term cost

IAN MCCARTNEY (Minister without Portfolio, Labour Party chairman) **

Will insist there is full debate among Labour members

BARONESS AMOS (Leader of the Lords) **

Will probably go with the majority view in Cabinet

LORD FALCONER OF THOROTON20(Lord Chancellor) **

Loyal to Blair. Likely to want to test the arguments

HILARY BENN (International Development Secretary) **

Utra-Blairite, likely to go with the tide

ALAN JOHNSON (Trade and Industry Secretary) **

Officially neutral but convinced nuclear is part of solution

RUTH KELLY (Education and Skills Secretary) **

Has enough on her plate with school reforms

JOHN HUTTON (Work and Pensions Secretary) ***

Champion of nuclear industry as MP for Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where Trident submarines were built

DES BROWNE (Chief Secretary to the Treasury) **

Must satisfy himself on costs

DAVID MILIBAND (Minister of Communities and Local Government) **

Background in Downing Street policy unit suggests he is likely to be strongly in favour.

In November 2005, Margaret Beckett had to deny she was anti-nuclear, saying that "Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source - no-one can dispute that, and it has a contribution to make." [1]

External Links

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