Blair unveils his green offensive with demand US ratifies Kyoto

[Rose Siding]

Tony Blair will today urge the United States to commit itself to tougher action to combat global warming and promise that a list of green policies will be included in Labour's general election manifesto.

The Prime Minister is to raise the profile of green issues as part of a drive to woo back people disaffected by the Iraq war. Labour's private polling shows that "progressive voters", many of whom were alienated by Mr Blair's stance on Iraq, regard the environment as a top priority.

Speaking to a conference staged by the Prince of Wales's Business and the Environment Programme, Mr Blair will stop short of a full-frontal attack on President George Bush, but will make clear that when Britain takes over the presidency of the G8 group of leading industrialised nations in January, it will expect America to accept its responsibilities on global warming.

Mr Blair, who believes the Kyoto treaty does not go far enough, will reiterate his call for the United States to sign it. He will identify climate change as one of the the greatest challenges facing the planet, saying that one country acting alone cannot solve the problem. He believes that nations who promise to act must be assured that they will not be undermined by "free riders" who refuse to play their part.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/story.jsp?story=561462

[MGKrebs]

1. Oooh! Tony barks!

Payback time for being a good Poodle?

Tony better be careful, he might get muzzled instead. Or perhaps he will be allowed to bark a little as long as he doesn't pee on the carpet.

[REVOLT823]

5. I seriously doubt either one is going to be around to either pay or

collect on the debt.

[leesa]

2. Screw off Poodle. Far too little Faaaaarrr too late.

[Matilda]

3. I'm sure Blair thinks Bush owes him one.

But he shouldn't hold his breath. Bush will never do anything that
will make corporations the least bit uncomfortable.

He'd be better advised to start building bridges to Kerry - he
certainly can't do worse.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Well, Bush does owe him one

But Blair's a fool if he expects to be paid.

[Southsideirish]

6. Baby poodle - I lift my leg on your phony environmentalist

stand.

After what you have done to Iraq (the cradle of civilization) you have no credibility. Go away.