Energy Security — Commends the Government's effort — 30 Jun 2008 at 18:51
Roger Berry MP, Kingswood voted with the majority (No).
The majority of MPs voted against the motion:[1]
- This House
- acknowledges that the security of the UK's energy supply has become of increasing importance over the last five years;
- understands that with over eight GW of coal and a further seven GW of nuclear generating capacity coming offline in the next decade the UK faces a potentially serious energy gap by 2016;
- regrets that with only 2 per cent. of the UK's energy needs coming from renewable sources, the UK is one of the worst performers in Europe;
- notes that the Government's own Renewables Advisory Board has established that the UK is set to miss its EU renewables target for 2020 even with significant policy changes;
- further notes that, as an island nation, the UK has major potential as a source of wave and tidal energy;
- deplores the fact that the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund has not delivered monies to a single project since its creation in 2005;
- regrets that the Government's latest Energy Bill contains insufficient provisions for feed-in tariffs for microgeneration,[2] the fast roll-out of smart meters or any serious help for the fuel poor; and
- urgently presses the Government to act now to secure the UK's energy supplies for the future.
In its place a new motion was proposed:[3]
- This House
- acknowledges that the Government is addressing the recent sharp increases in fossil fuel prices, which reflect an imbalance between supply and demand in global markets, through international engagement;
- recognises that the UK has the most competitive energy markets among the G7 nations, as recognised by independent analysts;
- acknowledges the Government's success in establishing a market framework which encourages sharp increases in gas import and storage capacity;
- further acknowledges the Government's success in establishing a clear framework for investment in new nuclear generation capacity through the Nuclear White Paper, and in setting out a blueprint for a historic expansion of renewable generation through the Renewable Energy Strategy consultation;
- recognises the Government's work in promoting energy efficiency as an integral part of its strategy;
- commends the Government's efforts to counter fuel poverty through the Winter Fuel Payment and through securing major financial commitments from energy supply companies;
- notes the Government's support for microgeneration;
- recognises that the Energy, Climate Change and Planning Bills will provide a legislative framework that is fit for purpose in changing market conditions and that supports the Government's policy objectives;
- believes that the Opposition's failure to show clear leadership on energy could put at risk Great Britain's energy security;
- condemns their failure to support the Government's Renewables Obligation; and
- deplores their opposition to the Planning Bill, which will provide greater certainty for major infrastructure building and help secure Great Britain's future energy independence.
which passed without a further vote.
- [1] Alan Duncan MP, House of Commons, 30 June 2008
- [2] Energy Bill - Renewable energy feed-in tariff - rejected, House of Commons Division, 30 April 2008
- [3] John Hutton MP, House of Commons, 30 June 2008
Party Summary
Votes by party, red entries are votes against the majority for that party.
What is Tell? '+1 tell' means that in addition one member of that party was a teller for that division lobby.
What are Boths? An MP can vote both aye and no in the same division. The boths page explains this.
What is Turnout? This is measured against the total membership of the party at the time of the vote.
Party | Majority (No) | Minority (Aye) | Both | Turnout |
Con | 0 | 144 (+2 tell) | 0 | 76.0% |
Independent | 1 | 1 | 0 | 40.0% |
Lab | 274 (+2 tell) | 0 | 0 | 78.9% |
LDem | 4 | 36 | 0 | 63.5% |
SNP | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16.7% |
UKIP | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100.0% |
Total: | 279 | 183 | 0 | 75.5% |
Rebel Voters - sorted by party
MPs for which their vote in this division differed from the majority vote of their party. You can see all votes in this division, or every eligible MP who could have voted in this division
Sort by: Name | Constituency | Party | Vote
Name | Constituency | Party | Vote |
Don Foster | Bath | LDem (front bench) | no |
Mark Oaten | Winchester | LDem (front bench) | no |
Willie Rennie | Dunfermline and West Fife | LDem (front bench) | no |
Matthew Taylor | Truro and St Austell | LDem | no |