Record Labour Rebellion for Renewables
May 19th 2008

The government had to whip Labour MPs to return from campaigning in their constituencies to vote against a crucial measure for renewable energy. Clause 4 of the Energy Bill, tabled by Alan Simpson MP with strong cross party support, would have required government to introduce a tariff for smaller scale renewable energy within one year. This would have meant that homeowners, farmers, commercial companies, public buildings and many other local people would be paid a fixed amount for every unit of renewable energy they generate, as has happened with huge success in Germany.

33 Labour MPs voted against the government, meaning the rebellion was the biggest since Gordon Brown took over as Prime Minister.

Alan Simpson MP said,

"This is an important message for Gordon Brown. On the eve of the local government elections he had the biggest Labour rebellion of his premiership. What drove the Labour MPs to vote against the government was the certainty that we have very little time to get serious about climate change. Britain's current programme is not fit for purpose. We need measures that bring us into the 21st century and Feed In tariffs are the way to do it."

The campaign behind Clause 4 has been led by the Renewable Energy Association and Friends of the Earth. It has received unprecedented backing including from The Co-operative, TUC, National Farmers Union, UNISON, Home Builders Federation; Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Energywatch and the Energy Savings Trust and many others. Even pop singer Lily Allen emailed all MPs urging them to vote for the measure.

Philip Wolfe, CEO of the Renewable Energy Association said,

"The UK renewables industry is heartened to have received such strong backing from MPs of all parties and from such an impressive array of organisations. Obviously it is hugely disappointing that the government did not welcome the Clause, however we remain convinced of our case and intend to pursue this campaign even more vigorously in the Lords."

The Bill will go to the Lords on the 21st of May where several Lords including LibDem energy spokesman Lord Redesdale have already indicated their enthusiasm to reinstate the Clause.

Lord Redesdale, said, “For this not to have been passed is a massive missed opportunity and shows a complete lack of commitment to reducing green house gases. The chance of the House of Lords not returning this to the Commons is low.”

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