The chairwoman of CND (Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament) and an expert from the Nuclear Industry Association will debate the nuclear power issue at a meeting next month.
Billed as the Great Nuclear Power Debate, the CND’s Dr Kate Hudson will speak against the Government’s plan to expand its nuclear programme.
The debate will feature on the Government’s commitment to building a new generation of power stations, which it argues tackles climate change and creates jobs.
But green groups argue nuclear power will prevent the Government from looking into harnessing renewable energy sources, which campaigners say are a far more effective way of reducing carbon emissions.
Representatives from the trade unions for and against nuclear power will also speak.
A spokeswoman for Battersea and Wandsworth TUC’s Red/Green alliance, which is organising the event said: “Like the issue of the use of polluting coal and the mining jobs that coal creates, the issue of nuclear power is a contentious one. On the one hand you have the potential for thousands of jobs to be created and on the other you have the argument that nuclear power could do more damage to the planet than it can good.
“It is essential for the alliance to create and inform debate on these issues. Climate change is the issue on everyone’s lips at the moment and we aim to offer a forum for green campaigners and those involved within the labour movement and trade unions to come together over this issue.”
The meeting will be held at 7.30pm on January 9, at the Public and Commercial Services Union HQ, 160 Flacon Road, Clapham Junction.
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