Cameron Attacked Over Green Policies
Date: 19-Mar-07
Country: UK
"The truth is you can't be serious about climate change unless you are serious about aviation," he told party members at their spring conference in Nottingham. "We don't have to stop people flying. But we do have to take action on emissions."
Right wing commentators have described as "suicidal" Cameron's plans for an annual green air miles allowance.
The proposals, unveiled last week, have also proved unpopular with voters.
A Sunday Times poll found that two-thirds of those asked feared politicians would use climate change as an excuse to raise taxes, with 60 percent opposed to higher taxes on cheap flights.
The government says many green taxes are regressive and hit the poor hardest.
But Cameron said that if the Conservatives came to power, its green taxes would replace other taxes, not add to them.
"Every penny we raise in taxes on bad things like pollution will be used to cut taxes on good things like enterprise and families," he said.
Under the party's plans, families would be able to take one holiday flight a year before green charges cut in.
Daily Telegraph commentator Simon Heffer on Saturday accused Cameron of jumping on the latest bandwagon over flight taxes.
"This stunt-driven approach to politics has become Dave's trademark", Heffer wrote.
"Those who might vote for him are being hectored and lectured about their behaviour and, should he come to power, warned they will have their pockets picked."
The Sunday Mirror said it had found paper, plastic and food thrown out in the general rubbish at Cameron's west London home, along with sacks of non-biodegradable nappies.
The newspaper said Cameron was failing to live up to his campaign to persuade people to make green choices.
Cameron's spokesman said the paper's actions were "pretty sick". He said Cameron's family did recycle its waste and used biodegradable nappies where possible.
But biodegradable nappies were not available for Cameron's oldest child, Ivan, who is disabled.
"We need to have a good debate on the environment in this country and I think it is devalued by silly stories in the papers rummaging through bins," the spokesman added.
