Chronicle - letter to editor on Clipper (Greg Stone)

Chronicle - letter to editor on Clipper

September 19, 2009 3:30 PM

Dear Editor

It is perhaps a sign of just how rattled Labour are in the Newcastle East constituency that Nick Brown's attack poodle Cllr Nick Kemp is already resorting to personal abuse of political opponents (Letters, 18th Sep).

He is wide of the mark in his offensive claims that the Lib Dems are "delusional" over their support for the development of the Tyne offshore cluster and the securing of investment by Clipper in development of an advanced new turbine.

The Government's support for this scheme is of course welcome, but it has taken a long time to secure and it has come about as a result of cross-party support and the hard work of public and private sector partners.

In particular, the foundations for the development of renewable energy at Walker were put in place by the Lib Dem council's support. If the Lib Dem controlled council's regeneration department - which has been frequently attacked by Messrs Kemp and Brown - had not agreed to make the Neptune Yard site available for this project, it is unquestionable that this investment would not have come to the Tyne.

Furthermore I have worked with the Lib Dem MEP for the North East Fiona Hall (the Lib Dem spokesperson on energy in the EU) to push for this investment, working with Shepherd Offshore to persuade One North East and the Government to take advantage of changes to "state aid" competition rules which allow development of renewable energy technology. We have held numerous meetings on this issue but I don't recall Nick Kemp ever being present.

I am confident Newcastle East voters will acknowledge the contrast between the positive contribution the Lib Dems have made to this initiative with the offensive and negative approach taken by Cllr Kemp and the Labour party.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Greg Stone

Parliamentary Spokesman, Newcastle East Liberal Democrats