Sellafield: let's talk about it
In a remarkable U-turn, the Prime Minister Tony Blair today gave his blessing to a public debate on nuclear power, adding that he expected it to be one of the "best ever".
Generally, Blair is a staunch opponent of public debates, particularly on crucial questions concerning the country's long-term future. Shortly before the start of the Iraq war, he is understood to have considered a total ban on all expression of personal opinion in a public space. However, he was eventually persuaded to tone down this embryonic legislation into the Anti-Smoking Bill.
The Prime Minister, who favours a rapid increase in the UK's civil nuclear programme, said he was confident that he would win the argument in the coming debate.
"The simple fact is that there is no realistic alternative," he told NMH, before concluding, "And what is more, we have nukes, and the other side don't."
