Green investment must not suffer in dash for growth, MPs warn
All-party group accuses government of failing to grasp opportunity to invest in green economy in haste to cut 'red tape'Environmental protections must not be slashed in an "irresponsible" and "desperate dash for growth", an all-party group of MPs has warned. Green investment should play a key role in the UK's economic recovery, the group reports, but accuses prime minister David Cameron of a lack of leadership and George Osborne's Treasury as regarding environmental measures as hampering economic development despite the green economy growing at 4% a year.The debate over the value of investing in clean power, energy efficiency, recycling and reducing environmental damage has reached the top of government in recent weeks, with foreign secretary William Hague, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and environment secretary Caroline Spelman all stating its high importance in a world challenged by climate change, growing population and greater competition for resources.Monday's report, from the |
Cameron 'posturing' is exacerbating eurozone crisis, says Balls
Shadow chancellor's attack comes after PM says contingency plans have to be made for Greece leaving the euroEd Balls has accused David Cameron of exacerbating the eurozone crisis by "posturing" over Greece and warned that the G8 summit's failure to come up with a clear plan will prove "absolutely catastrophic for Britain, Europe and the world".The shadow chancellor's attack came after the prime minister said that a second Greek vote next month backing parties opposed to the EU's bailout package would be a decisive vote to leave the euro, for which contingency plans had to be made.Balls told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think David Cameron's posturing helps at all, I think it just makes it worse."He added: "Spain and Italy are huge. Our country, our companies, are exposed to them. There is no plan to stop contagion to Spain and Italy. If that happens it is absolutely catastrophic for Britain, Europe and the world and we have come out of a summit with no plan and Britain still |
How hard should a prime minister work? | Open thread
David Cameron is reportedly a 'chillaxing' master. Tell us if you think this makes a better leader, or if you'd prefer a workaholicDavid Cameron is the master of "chillaxing", or so says a new biography. On any given weekend the prime minister is partial to a bit of karaoke (his favourite number is apparently the Frank Sinatra classic My Way), downing a few glasses of wine and playing tennis against "the Clegger" – a ball machine nicknamed after his occasional tennis partner, the deputy prime minister.It's an image of a prime minister removed from the workaholics of old. Margaret Thatcher kept a hectic schedule when she came to office and both Gordon Brown and Tony Blair were known for their hard work ethic.What sort of workload should we expect a prime minister to take on? Do you expect 100% dedication, even at weekends? Or is there a case to support a PM who makes sure to take some down time?David CameronWork & careersguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or it |
Eurozone crisis: high-stakes gamble as David Cameron warns Greek voters
PM says Greeks have choice in June election between voting to stay in euro and 'effectively voting to leave'A second Greek vote next month backing parties opposed to the European Union's bailout package would be a decisive vote to leave the euro for which contingency plans have to be made now, David Cameron warned on Sunday in a dramatic raising of the stakes.Speaking in Chicago after two days of talks with world leaders on the euro crisis, he said: "We now have to send a very clear message to people in Greece: there is a choice – you can either vote to stay in the euro, with all the commitments you've made, or if you vote another way you're effectively voting to leave." His remarks are in effect an attempt to make next month's vote a referendum on continued membership of the euro.Cameron indicated that he wanted to make the threat of ejection from the euro credible by showing the Greeks that preparations are being made for their departure, a change of tactics after weeks of mixed me |
