(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Britain would support building more nuclear power plants in the country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 55 per cent of respondents share this opinion, while 32 per cent oppose it.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Britain would support building more nuclear power plants in the country, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 55 per cent of respondents share this opinion, while 32 per cent oppose it.
There are currently 14 functioning nuclear reactors in Britain, which produce 21 per cent of the country’s electricity. All but one will reach the end of their operational lifetimes by 2023.
In May 2006, then British prime minister Tony Blair endorsed the construction of new nuclear power stations, saying, "Essentially, the twin pressures of climate change and energy security are raising energy policy to the top of the agenda in the UK and around the world. (…) These facts put the replacement of nuclear power stations, a big push on renewables and a step change on energy efficiency, engaging both business and consumers, back on the agenda with a vengeance. If we don’t take these long-term decisions now we will be committing a serious dereliction of our duty to the future of this country."
In June 2007, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.
In Jaunary 2008, the Brown-led government approved the construction of a new nuclear power plant, the first of the next generation of facilities.
On Nov. 9, British energy secretary Ed Miliband announced that 10 sites have been selected in England and Wales for the construction of a series of nuclear power stations that could begin operating by 2018.
On Nov. 16, Labour lawmaker Paul Flynn warned of the cost of nuclear energy, saying, "British families could be forced to pay extra on their annual energy bills to help to fund a new generation of nuclear power stations. (…) Many MPs will find it hard to justify such price escalations, at a time many pensioners face real concerns over fuel poverty, to pay for what is at best a little loved technology, and at worst something a majority of our voters do not want."
Polling Data
Would you support or oppose building more nuclear power stations in the UK?
|
Support
|
55%
|
|
Oppose
|
32%
|
|
Not sure
|
13%
|
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,004 British adults, conducted from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16, 2009. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
