Conservative candidate challenges Liberal Democrats for “honesty” on wind-farms
Conservative candidate and former MP Fay Jones is urging the Liberal Democrats to come clean on their position on controversial plans for wind farms and pylons across Radnorshire.
On Monday, leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey published his party’s manifesto for the General Election. In it, he promised to “remove the Conservatives’ unnecessary restrictions on new solar and wind power.” This would appear to be a green light towards the energy schemes put forward by Bute Energy.
Ms Jones has been a vocal critic of Bute Energy’s plans for a number of years. She has campaigned against plans to build 36 wind turbines in the Radnor Forest – part of a project known as Nant Mithil – as well as a 60 mile network of electricity pylons through the Radnorshire and Brecknockshire countryside.
With renewable energy a key part of the UK Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050 – a legally binding target introduced by the Conservatives, the UK Government has favoured investment nuclear energy through Sizewell C and Wylfa. In contrast, the Welsh Government’s Future Wales energy strategy document simply focusses on onshore wind – making rural mid Wales a prime target for foreign energy companies.
In 2023, the Prime Minister introduced planning reforms which would make sure that local people gave consent to wind farm projects. With Sir Ed now calling for these plans to be ripped, the Conservative candidate has challenged her Liberal Democrat rival to make clear his views on the policy.
Ms Jones said:
“It’s time for the Liberal Democrat candidate to come clean on his views. He has never been honest with the electorate about where he stands on Bute Energy’s plans for industrial scale wind farms across rural Radnorshire. At least the Labour candidate is clear that he supports Bute Energy’s plans. But, as usual, no one knows where the Liberal Democrats stand.
With just over three weeks to go until the General Election, voters need to know whether he will stand with the community and oppose these plans or follow his party line and carpet the Mid Wales countryside with mammoth wind turbines and electricity pylons.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The Liberal Democrat position is available here: file:///C:/Users/jonesf/Downloads/For_a_Fair_Deal_-_Liberal_Democrat_Manifesto_2024.pdf (page 26)
Press release June 10th 2024.
