Plaid Cymru have questioned whether some Tories in Wales have been kept in the dark over what exactly their policy is on energy-saving light bulbs.

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans said that despite the clear savings, both economically and environmentally, by switching to energy-saving light bulbs, she was surprised to hear Tory MEP Kay Swinburne say that she ‘had issues’ with banning the most inefficient bulbs, claiming it was an ‘environmental disaster’.

Jill Evans, Wales’s most experienced MEP, said:

“The comments were surprising, not only in the light of all the scientific evidence, but also because her own party advocated giving free energy-saving bulbs to households in Wales in their Party Conference in 2007. Has the party in Wales changed their minds on this?

“Most people – 85% in the latest poll – say they would switch to energy-saving bulbs, which will help combat climate change, and save money at the same time. People in Wales are asking me what they can do at home. This is a simple measure which has a huge effect. It will reduce a household's electricity consumption by up to 15%. This means cheaper bills as well.

“You wonder what the reaction will be when the Tory Assembly group leader finds that their MEP has joined his party’s Westminster MPs in creating their own policies. Incandescent perhaps?”

Diwedd/Ends