Green MEP says “Save the Vestas plant – and the future of British renewable energy”.

In a statement last week, local MEP Caroline Lucas called for immediate government intervention to save 600 jobs and the future of British renewable energy.

Dr Lucas, whose constituency includes the Isle of Wight where the Vesta plant is located, has sent a message of support to workers taking part in the occupation of the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant currently threatened with closure – and called on the Government to step in with financial aid to keep it open.

She said: “I give my full support to the campaign to stop the closure of the Vestas wind turbine manufacturing plant. The decision to close the facility represents a spectacular failure by Government ministers to adequately promote green industries - and protect the future of manufacturing in this country.

“This isn’t just a huge blow for the 600 skilled British workers who are set to lose their jobs – it destroys any hope the UK may have had for establishing itself in the eyes of the world as being at the forefront of technological efforts to create a greener and more sustainable future.

“At a time when the number of people out of work is increasing, it is unforgivable that the Government has singularly failed to offer coherent policy on the future of the renewable energy industry.

“This is an industry which could provide hundreds of thousands of good quality, green collar jobs for skilled workers, taking full advantage of the UK’s proud manufacturing heritage, while simultaneously addressing the ever-present threat of climate change.

“We should be seizing the opportunity to create a renewable energy revolution through a favourable policy environment and massive investment in the new technologies that can see us through a transition towards a more environmentally and economically stable economy.

Dr Lucas MEP concluded: “The Government can make a genuine start along this road by pledging financial aid to help keep the Isle of Wight’s Vestas plant open for business – and prove that its rhetoric on renewable energy is more than just hot air."

Read Caroline’s blog entry on Vesta http://www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk/carolines-blog/

See also: Greens object to police tactics at Vestas occupation