The UK Cabinet 2005-06: Nuclear Views
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:
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]
