By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 18:03, Saturday, 09 February 2013

Copeland MP Jamie Reed says the voices of people outside Cumbria do not count as much as those in the west of the county when it comes to the nuclear debate.

Jamie Reed

Mr Reed was taking part in a News & Star web chat when he made the comments.

During the debate the Labour MP answered questions on the nuclear debate which was left dead in the water when Cumbria County Council voted not to go to the next stage.

Allerdale and Copeland councils, however, wanted to find out whether the area might be suitable for a nuclear waste repository.

One man, from Manchester, stated: “Jamie, this is a national issue.

“It is strange how you say you’re interested only in the west Cumbrian people that live there.

“I travel to Cumbria every week two to three times, and I often visit the Lake District and bring my hard earned money to Cumbria.

“Are you saying my opinion does not matter when I actively take an interest in this industry and am aware of the issues and challenges the industry faces?”

Mr Reed replied: “No, your voice doesn’t count as much as the voices of those in west Cumbria. I know that may not be what you want to hear, but I don’t remember my constituents ever being asked for their view about any development in Manchester.”

Mr Reed said he would “do everything he could, for as long as necessary” to solve the problem.

He was asked by a lady woman Julia how many processes he was going to insist on until he was happy “democracy” has delivered the result he wanted.

Mr Reed replied: “I will do everything I can, for as long as necessary, to solve this problem. This issue – a scandal in so many ways – has been left to my generation to solve.

“I refuse to bequeath it to the next generation of west Cumbrians – that is indefensible. This does not mean a geological disposal facility in my constituency, come what may, but it does mean a solution to the urgent problem before us right now. Thirty years, five prime ministers, no progress. I’m not content to let that continue.”

First published at 18:00, Saturday, 09 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk