Labour MEPs have secured new Europe-wide laws which… ... in the workplace: 1 signed Britain up to the Social Chapter,...

The Environmental Debate As the debate over whether Heathrow should get a third runway rages on, it’s interesting to look at other areas in which the environmentalist and other clash. There is no doubt that railways are the most environmentally friendly form of transport. But when a mere 25% of your network is electrified and most of your freight is hauled by diesel locomotives then things don’t look so rosy. Don’t get me wrong, I support the building of a new High Speed Line, but not just to Birmingham. What use would that be to the good citizens of the North West? Also, it is improvements in the conventional railways that is needed, not just the High Speed Lines. Getting back to the environmental point, it always seems to me that everybody is in favour of saving the planet, providing that they can drive their car, fly away on their holiday and turn up their gas central heating, which does seem to be a little inconsistent. We know that environmentalists want to outlaw certain pesticides that farmers tell us are crucial in protecting crops from mildew and disease and delivering cheaper food. We know that alternative forms of...