Tory's just wrong, says Labour boss
A POLITICAL row has broken out over a Derby Conservative councillor's decision to show a climate change-sceptic film in the city's council chamber.
The new film, Not Evil Just Wrong, is a documentary which suggests evidence of global warming is inconclusive and that the impact climate change laws will have on industry is much more harmful to humans than beneficial. It is a direct challenge to Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, with was shown to councillors in Derby during Labour's control of the authority in 2007.
Tory councillor Frank Leeming put forward the idea to show the new film today, sparking criticism from Labour councillors.
Labour group leader Chris Williamson said: "I am totally appalled. The council is committed to reducing carbon emissions, yet the Conservatives are pushing a film which threatens all of that.
"It reaffirms our belief that the Conservatives have merely been paying lip service to environmental issues in pushing their new branding as a caring party."
And Labour councillor Ranjit Banwait, who is vice-chairman of the council's climate change commission, called for the resignation of its Conservative chairman.
He said: "If the Conservatives don't believe in climate change, then perhaps the chairman of the commission, Tory councillor Phil Ingall, should step down.
"They're setting an incredibly dangerous precedent. They're peddling a viewpoint which disputes what scientists have already proved about the state of the planet. Why would they do that?"
But Harvey Jennings, leader of the Conservative group, said Mr Leeming's view was not shared by the group as a whole, adding that the Tories were "committed to tackling climate change" and believed it was a reality.
He said: "This is about facilitating freedom of speech."
He added that Mr Leeming's actions were not an embarrassment to his party.
Mr Leeming confirmed he was a climate change sceptic.
He said: "Al Gore's film contained nine 'facts' which were wrong – and this film shows scientists answering those points."
He said he did not feel his strong views, which differ from the local Tory group's stance, meant he should not be a member of the party.
"We are a democratic group which allows free speech. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't do this," he said.
Conservative MEP Roger Helmer is an outspoken sceptic of climate change and has even published his own book challenging the issue.
He said it was right that councillors should be able to show another side to the debate over climate change and screened the film himself in the European parliament.
"There is no point saying a party which has signed up to a green agenda is not allowed to say a word, that is not honest politics," he said.
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by Swav, Milton Keynes
Monday, November 02 2009, 2:18PM
“To BobNot. Humans can produce only between 11% to 21% of the CO2 that is emmited by volcanoes every year. This simply means that even if we cut emmistions to 0 and there will be very active volcanic year, we still get 230 000 000 000 000 grams of CO2. Can you explain me why carbon based life on earth survived for milions of years, because accourding to what you say it should die long ago.”
by David Harrington, Cambridge
Monday, October 26 2009, 2:17PM
“Not from your area but doesn't it ring alarm bells when to even to screen a documentary that questions the AGW orthodoxy caused this type of reaction?
Man made global warming is still an unproven hypothesis although you would be hard pressed to know this given the media coverage.”
by Jo, Derbys
Monday, October 26 2009, 2:05PM
“"Global warming" has now become yet another major issue adopted by political bandwagons, which completely obscure objective scientific facts.”
by Steve, Derby
Monday, October 26 2009, 1:14PM
“Williams should also realise that some argue that these scientists have felt as though they were 'leaned on' by governments.”
by Joanne, Derby
Saturday, October 24 2009, 12:21PM
“Yet more examples of the Dynamic duo ( Williamson & Banwait ) preeching.
Stop acting like silly schoolboys”
by Dragon, Derby
Saturday, October 24 2009, 12:02PM
“BobNot, Derby ........ so everyone who does not swallow the same brain washing drivel as you is "stupid".
OK BobNot, Derby - explain then why the earth warmed up betwen previous ice ages to the point where Derby was sub-tropical as proven by the fossil record.
Look in the Museum the remains of a Hippo found at Newrton Solney?
Now back theb BobNot, Derby your anscestors had just about learnt how to make fire, and I bet evehn then yours were blaming fire for the demise of the Mammoth.
Global warming IS natural, nothing to do with man, and to use your terminology - is stupid.”
by r m, Spondon Derby
Saturday, October 24 2009, 12:01PM
“Is it Frank Leeming or (as I suspect) Frank Lemming. Lemmings are those particular hairy little creatures that have the propecity for jumping off the edge of cliffs, rather like furry Frank. As a serial political harlot I aticipate the anti common sense front may well have a new member as soon if his present Tory one gets fed up with his bizare antics.”
by Chris, Derby
Saturday, October 24 2009, 11:37AM
“The Sun is getting hotter - it will eventually get so hot that it will become a Red Giant that will consume the entire Solar System - sorry but this little planet is doomed.
The Flat Earth Society would probably argue that as the Earth is the centre of the Universe, this cannot be true.
Solar Cycles DO exist, the sun does heat up and cool down on a very regular and well recorded cycle - this has been known since the discovery of Radio Waves which are affected by these cycles, these are well recorded and scientifically proven facts!”
by BobNot, Derby
Saturday, October 24 2009, 11:18AM
“Anybody who denies climate change is man made is just stupid. It's not the sun, it's not "natural cycles" - it is all man made burning of fossil fuels. If you want to read a really scary story go to the BBC news website and search for "scary climate change". There was a story dated 10th October that details what happened the last time the earth had CO2 levels similar to now - and that was about 20 million years ago.”
by JK, Derby
Saturday, October 24 2009, 10:44AM
“Quite informative if only to update us as to which side Frank Leeming is playing for this year.
I'm convinced that he is only dabbling in council work to be in the public eye and nothing more.
Go for the B.N.P. Frank, that would get you loads of publicity.”