Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne visits Ealing

5.34.22pm GMT Sat 18th Nov 2006

Chris Huhne, Lib Dem MP, in Ealing speaking on Climate Change

Chris Huhne MP, the party's Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, visited Ealing to make a speech on the environment and climate change.

Chris Huhne said: "The time for talk on climate change is over, and the time for action has arrived. We have one key message. We should tax pollution - not people. If we are to change our behaviour, it is the role of government to lead us collectively away from our dependence on fossil fuels.

We need green taxes not to raise revenue for the state - taxes are high enough - but to switch off climate chaos. By using green tax revenue to take the low paid out of income tax and cut the basic rate, we can nudge our society towards sustainability and strike a blow for fairness and social justice. How much each individual taxpayer saves will depend on their own behaviour. The greener we go, the more we save."

Cllr Gary Malcolm, Lib Dem Environmental spokesperson, said: "Huge amounts of energy are wasted overnight in council offices and this is something Lib Dems have raised last year. To address this, Lib Dem-run Islington Council went round their Council offices and left reminders for staff who left their lights or computers on. On the desks of those who had switched them off, they left a thank you note and a Belgian chocolate. This incentive proved effective! Why doesn't Ealing council do this?"