SOUTH EAST LIB DEM MEP SCORES TOP ON GREEN VOTES - AND BEATS THE GREEN MEP

7.17.23am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Apr 2004

Baroness Emma Nicholson, Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East, has voted in a more environmentally friendly way on green issues than even the region's Green MEP, Caroline Lucas, according to a new website set up by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and other 'green' bodies to scrutinise MEPs' voting.

The 'EU Vote Watch' selects the ten most important environmental votes in the European Parliament since the last election in 1999, and outlines how each member voted. Environmental legislation is particularly crucial at European level because air and water pollution crosses national frontiers. About 80 per cent of environmental law is decided at EU level.

From recycling to GMOs to energy taxation, Baroness Nicholson has the outstanding record of all the region's MEPs, followed in second place by the Green MEP Caroline Lucas and in third place by Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Huhne. Labour comes next followed in bottom place by the Conservatives.

Baroness Nicholson said: 'I am delighted that this study shows how seriously the Liberal Democrats take the environment. We are ambitious but practical on green issues, and we get results. This is a record of which I am very proud.'

'I also find it shocking that the regional MEPs with the worst voting record on green issues are the Conservatives, even though they often pretend that they care about conservation and the environment. This analysis shows that their claims are simply hot air' said Baroness Nicholson, a former member of the Conservative party.

Chris Huhne MEP said: 'Environmental matters are some of the most important that the parliament has to decide, and this study shows who can be trusted to vote sensibly to protect our environment for our children.

'Pollution crosses national borders, so it is vital that member states agree in common to tackle problems like acid rain and the encouragement of recycling rather than polluting incineration or landfill' said Mr Huhne.

'For people who are ambitious to put green issues at the top of the political agenda, these votes show that the Liberal Democrats are the most effective party in getting change.' said Mr Huhne.

Notes to editors:- The EU Vote Watch can be found on www.foeeurope.org/euvotewatch/support_docs/support.php The ten votes analysed cover nuclear energy, environmental liability, genetically modified organisms, transport, recycling, chemicals, air and water quality and pesticides control. The league table for the South East is compiled using the EU Vote watch voting records awarding one point for a positive vote, no points for an abstention or absence, and minus one point for an anti-environmental vote.

The South East region MEPS come out as follows:

1. Baroness Emma Nicholson Liberal Democrat

2. Caroline Lucas Green

3. Chris Huhne Liberal Democrat

4. Peter Skinner Labour

5. Mark Watts Labour

6. Nigel Farage UKIP

7. James Provan Conservative

8. Daniel Hannan Conservative

9. Nirj Deva Conservative

10. Roy Perry Conservative

11. James Elles Conservative

Source: Chris Huhne MEP.