Cracks appear in Labour-Green alliance over claims that Heysham power stations letter was 'reckless'

Cracks have appeared in an alliance between Labour and the Greens after a letter calling for the lives of Heysham Power Stations to be extended was branded "reckless".

Lancaster City Council leader Phillip Black was also accused of "operating outside the terms of a collaboration agreement" between Labour and the Greens, who between them form the majority of the council's coaltion cabinet.

Councillor Jack Lenox of the Greens also said it was "completely inappropriate for Councillor Black to suggest that pressure on the council's budget should be a factor in extending the lives of these nuclear power stations".

Councillor Black, from Labour, has responded by accusing the Greens of "Machievellian nonsense" and making "baseless accusations".

Councillor Lenox's remarks came after Councillor Black wrote to the government supporting plans to keep Heysham 1 and Heysham 2 operating beyond their current end dates.

Earlier this month, power stations owners EDF revealed £1.3bn investment plans for its operational nuclear power plants in the UK, including Heysham 1 and Heysham 2 (below).

Heysham 1, which began electricity generation in 1983, is currently due to remain operational until March 2026, following an extension announced last year, and Heysham 2, which began electricity generation in 1988, until 2028.

EDF's plans, which are subject to funding and regulatory approval, would see the power stations maintain output at current levels for "as long as possible", with a decision due by the end of 2024.

Councillor Black's letter also went to Morecambe MP David Morris and Lancaster MP Cat Smith.

He said: "While independent inspections and the necessary regulatory approvals are essential and paramount to ensure safety, there are many other factors that also need to be taken into account when deciding whether the power stations should continue to operate.

“In our district, the business rates paid by the power stations constitute a significant portion of the city council's budget, facilitating the delivery of essential services to local communities.

“A decision that combines safety assurances with the wider benefits of Heysham 1 and 2 will instil confidence and job security for the many skilled individuals and their families in the region. It will also boost the local supply chain and enable the council to plan its medium-term financial strategy with greater certainty.”

Councillor Lenox (pictured below), in a statement sent to Beyond Radio, said: “Both of these power stations are now operating significantly beyond their original life expectancy.

"Any decision to extend their lives yet again is a safety critical, technical matter that must not be subject to political influence.

"“I’m every bit as concerned as Councillor Black about the financial situation of Lancaster City Council and many local councils around the country due to underfunding by central government.

"However, it is completely inappropriate for Cllr Black to suggest that pressure on our budget should be a factor in extending the lives of these nuclear power stations.

“This is a decision for the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). The ONR should not have external influences exert pressure on it. It must consider this matter based only on the crucial perspectives of safety and technical feasibility.”

Councillor Lenox, who is also Lancaster’s parliamentary candidate for the Green Party, had questioned Councillor Black about his sending of the letter at last Wednesday's full council meeting.

He asked: "In what capacity did that happen? Was that on behalf of the whole council?

"Are you aware that there are substantial views that it's maybe not such a great idea to extend the life of Heysham given how much it's already been extended, and the safety concerns of similar plants across the country?"

Councillor Black (pictured below) said: "I wrote as myself. The leader is the principal spokesperson for the council.

"In terms of safety concerns, I'm wondering if you know something I don't? Do you have any grounds for these safety concerns? I've seen first-hand how embedded in their culture and how highly prioritised safety is, at the power stations.

"I know that for EDF to be successful in their application they would have to satisfy an enornous amount of regulatory and independent inspection criteria. So I have faith that there are sufficient measures in place.

"It's right to note that safety should be, and is, the primary deciding factor for something like extending the life of the power stations. I have not seen anything that would give me cause to suspect that any extension would be unsafe and if it is, I have faith that the regulators and inspectors would be able to flag that."

Councillor Black also said: "I wasn't aware until after the letter was sent that there was any dissent about the prospect of me writing. Colleagues on the cabinet were aware a week in advance of me sending that letter, that it was going to go out. It wasn't until the next day after it had been sent that anybody flagged any notion of concern."

But in a statement after the meeting, Councillor Caroline Jackson, deputy leader of Lancaster City Council and from the Greens (pictured below), said: “The key underpinning principle of the cross-party collaboration agreement was that the Cabinet would be taking collective responsibility.

"In this case, far from consulting with Cabinet, the leader did not even ensure Green and Liberal Democrat leaders had seen a draft of his email.”

Speaking to Beyond Radio on Tuesday, Councillor Black responded to the Greens.

"I have a lot of respect for Councillor Lenox, however I am disappointed that he has doubled down on his assertion that nuclear power generation at Heysham is unsafe," said Councillor Black.

"Both in his question at council and in his comments to the press he has failed to cite any evidence to support this view.  He is also implying there is political pressure being exerted on regulators and independent inspectors when he knows this to be false. 

"When considering recklessness, I would suggest that using one's platform to stir up public safety concerns with baseless accusations for political gain is pretty reckless in itself. 

"Hopefully he will either provide the evidence which supports his position, or have the decency to publicly retract these remarks.

"Furthermore, Green party councillors were well aware of my intention to write to our MPs and the Government on this issue at least a week in advance of the letter being sent. 

"At no time before the letter was sent did any Green Party colleagues suggest that there were ideological concerns about nuclear power from their group. 

"Saying nothing, then framing this somewhat confected issue as evidence that I have not kept faith with our partnership agreements, is the kind of Machiavellian nonsense I hoped had ended with the last administration. 

"I sincerely hope that this is not a sign that my Green Party colleagues are returning to their practice of conducting public character assassinations of their Labour partners.

"Our working agreement is based on principles of mutual respect and cooperation, of shared endeavour and pulling together for the common good.  Labour remains utterly committed to the spirit of that arrangement, and looks to delivering on shared policies and values for the benefit of businesses and residents in our district. 

"I call upon our Green politician partners to stop sabre rattling and return their focus to doing the same."

Councillor Black was elected as leader after a deal between Labour, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats to form the new Lancaster City Council cabinet, following the local elections of May 2023.

Read more: City Council leader urges support for extension of Heysham nuclear power stations - Beyond Radio

Plans announced to extend lives of Heysham power stations - Beyond Radio

New Lancaster City Council leader elected after 11th hour Labour, Greens and Lib Dems deal - Beyond Radio