Brown and Cameron seek green vote

Updated 23.23 Mon Mar 12 2007
Keywords: green, David Cameron, Tory leader, Gordon Brown, Chancellor, climate

Gordon Brown has spelled out his philosophy on how he thinks Britain should tackle climate change, going head-to-head with David Cameron on the issue.

Labour and the Conservatives are competing for the green vote with speeches from the two men who are expected to lead their parties into the next General Election.

The two men, who are expected to lead their parties into the next general election, have delivered keynote speeches on the environment

Mr Brown warned that the Tories' continuing Euro-scepticism disqualifies them as an effective force when it comes to dealing with global warming.

He argued that real progress can only be achieved by working through bodies like the European Union to reach international agreements on curbing damaging greenhouse gas emissions.

But Mr Cameron, who addressed a Tory Party environmental summit, said action must go beyond tackling aircraft pollution and he warned that politicians risked becoming obsessed with carbon emissions.

He said: "Greener skies are firmly on the political agenda and I'm proud of the part we have played in that process. But we need a greener earth as well as greener skies."

He added: "Greener living for families and communities and better protection for our natural environment - on land and sea - will be crucial priorities for the Government I lead."

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