Rochdale Euro-MP criticised by Liberal Democrat colleagues

Date published: 25/06/2006

Rochdale Euro-MP Chris Davies has been criticised by Liberal Democrat colleagues in the House of Commons for not being tough enough on gas guzzling cars in the fight against climate change.

The party's national environment spokesman says that a call by Mr Davies for a £1000 tax on the vehicles is not sufficiently ambitious.  He says that the minimum level for the most polluting new cars should be at least £2,000.
 
The criticism comes despite Mr Davies having recently been nominated by the world's largest environment organisation, WWF, for an award as Britain's most pro-environment MEP.

Liberal Democrats accuse the motor industry of breaking an agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles to an average of 140 grams per kilometre by 2008.  With current emissions still above 160 grams the target is now thought impossible to reach.

So-called 'Chelsea tractors', monster 4X4 cars emitting large quantities of greenhouse gases, are said to be the prime reason for the industry's failure to meet the target.

Chancellor Gordon Brown acknowledged the problem by using his last Budget to increase vehicle excise duty on large cars by £45. 

The amount was dismissed as derisory by Chris Davies, who said it did not even represent the price of a tank of fuel and argued that a £1000 annual tax was needed to change buying habits. 

Now Mr Davies has found himself out of step with party bosses who want to go even further.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne MP is calling on the party to adopt a range of fiscal measures to steer the economy in a sustainable direction.

"We want fairer and greener taxes but not higher taxes overall," he commented.  "By putting the burden onto things that cause problems, such as gas-guzzling cars, we can change behaviour and cut other taxes.

"This isn't about raising money for the Government but of penalising practises that harm our environment and safeguarding the future of the planet for our children."

Mr Davies described himself as content with his telling off.  "Any time my party wants to be more environmentally ambitious is alright by me," he commented.

"It's easy to talk about fighting climate change but Liberal Democrats are making clear that there are hard choices to be made.  Those who don't like our proposals should come up with suggestions of their own."

The party has pledged to exclude from the new duty the small number of people in rural areas who have a genuine need to use four wheel drive vehicles.