Damian Collins

This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch.

Damian Collins is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Folkestone and Hythe, first elected in the 2010 general election.

Pro-nuclear views

Collins made his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 27 May 2010 in the debate on energy and the environment in the Queens's Speech debate. He explained that in his constituency, which includes the Dungeness B nuclear power station operated and owned by EDF Energy:

There is a great deal of support for nuclear power in my constituency. I am sure that hon. Members who have nuclear sites in their constituencies know that there is a good deal of support for them, because they generate a huge number of jobs and important support for the local economy.

Environmental reasons and concerns about coastal erosion and associated flood risk saw proposals for a new third nuclear power station, Dungeness C, omitted from the previous Labour government's 2009 shortlist of potential sites for new stations. It was later also ruled out by energy minister Chris Huhne in October 2010. However Collins has continued to lobby the government, raising the issue with prime minister David Cameron in 2012.

Affiliations

• M&C Saatchi advertising agency between 1999 and 2008.
• Bow Group - was political officer in 2002
• Lexington Communications - was Senior Counsel between 2008 and 2010
• Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee

Personal life

Collins is married to Sarah Richardson who is an employee of Edelman PR.

Contact

Address:

Website: