Davies gets backing from conference

Chris Davies MEP

Rochdale MEP Chris Davies has headed back home from the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow wafter bringing delegates to his point of view on shale gas, nuclear power and the "danger of UKIP".

Liberal Democrats are now committed to developing British gas supplies rather than importing it from Russia. Davies called for a proportion of the profits to be given to local communities – potentially bringing both jobs and cash to towns across the north.

The North West’s energy coast could see a jobs boost as the party dropped its longstanding opposition to any use of nuclear power.

Davies argued that the need to reduce carbon emissions meant that nuclear power could not be excluded from the energy mix. The move could benefit engineering firms throughout the region.

The MEP helped force through a commitment from the Liberal Democrats to hold an in out referendum on Europe when the next EU treaty is considered.

Mr Davies ripped into UKIP, declaring them to be “not just mad, but bad” and suggesting that Nigel Farage’s party could put the long term future of 3 million jobs at risk in the UK.

Mr Davies said, “The Lib Dem conference has been good for the North West.

“Employing local people to extract home grown gas instead of relying on the goodwill of Russia is good for the local economy and the environment.

“Nuclear power is a massive strength of our region and the Liberal Democrats have accepted that we need to embrace it if we are to fight climate change and cut electricity bills.

“The party has also proudly declared itself to be the party of in when it comes to Europe. The global economy is still fragile and UKIP would happily move us away from our friends in the EU to take a risk on our own.

“When the seas are choppy, you don’t jump out of the boat into the storm.”