Annual nuclear poll shows 72% of MPs in favour of new build

| Print |

E-mail

A NUCLEAR FUTURE for Britain received a massive boost this week when a leading parliamentary poll revealed 72% of all MPs back the building of new reactors in the UK.  The annual Ipsos Mori survey, commissioned by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA), shows spectacular increases in the number of MPs across the house who support replacement new build - and back nuclear as part of a low-carbon, balanced energy mix. Main findings of the poll reveal a continuing rise in positive attitudes towards nuclear, especially among government ranks, with 75% of Labour MPs now calling for new nuclear plants to be built to ensure security of supply and to combat climate change. Some 103 MPs (56 Labour, 31 Conservative and 16 other) were questioned in face-to-face interviews on their views on favourability towards nuclear power, attitudes to the UK’s future energy mix, the issue of new nuclear build and the future role of nuclear. Some startling top-line results include: • Support for new nuclear build among all MPs stands at 72% while opposition stands at just 23% • 75% of Labour MPs now support building of new nuclear power stations to replace those being phased out (up from 60% last year – and forming a spectacular rise from just 36% two years ago) • 88% of all MPs believe nuclear will be a major contributor to the UK’s energy mix in the future – this rises to 100% of Conservative MPs polled   • Favourability for nuclear power is at its most positive under the current government (and at its highest since the early nineties) with concerns over security of supply and climate change driving the shift in support • A 13% increase in the number of MPs who believe there is “a clear way forward on nuclear waste” (a 20% rise among Labour MPs polled) Lord O’Neill, chairman of the NIA said the results were “hugely encouraging” at such a crucial time for the UK’s civil nuclear industry. “These results reflect real concerns in parliament over the threat of climate change and the security of our future energy supplies. There is a growing realisation that nuclear must contribute to providing us with secure, low-carbon power into the future.” He added: “Britain needs a mix of energy sources to ensure reliable supply and in total 79% of MPs agree with this. When asked why they back nuclear they cite the energy gap and nuclear’s low-carbon, environmentally-friendly output as key.”

 

< Prev		Next >