A man who could become Macclesfield's next member of parliament has voiced strong disapproval on nuclear energy.

While there is no indication that a nuclear power plant is to be built in the Macclesfield constituency, the topic did come up briefly on a question on climate change and the environment at this Saturday's Tytherington School hustings.

Neil Christian, the Liberal Democrats candidate in Macclesfield, told a crowd of Under 30s that 'nuclear energy is not clean'.

This was after Reform UK candidate Stephen Broadhurst said: "We advocate the use of clean energy, and nuclear modules which are currently being developed by Rolls Royce."

Neil Christian (left) pictured with Amanda Iremonger (Greens) and Stephen Broadhurst (Reform UK).

According to the National Grid, nuclear power is not renewable, but it regards it as clean.

"One of the things that got me into politics was the climate emergency", said Neil Christian.

"It was a problem in 1999 and is more of a problem now.

"I am committed to being proactive in fighting and taking on the climate emergency.

Neil is a barrister by trade, and practices in Manchester. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"Can I just address one thing, nuclear is not clean, and if it was clean, well I'm sure Stephen would welcome nuclear power station built in his constituency but I wouldn't. I would fight that. Nuclear is not clean."

The Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, has flip-flopped on nuclear.

Sir Davey previously backed building a new generation of nuclear power plants in 2013, when he was Climate Change Secretary.

In recent years, he has been critical of nuclear power projects for their cost to the British taxpayer, including the Suffolk's Sizewell C power plant in 2020.

Neil has also previously stood for European Parliament in Warrington, and last year stood for the Newton & Hoole ward in the Cheshire West and Chester local election. He was not elected in either of these aforementioned elections.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto does not mention the word 'nuclear' once.

However, it does reiterate the party's desire to get '90% of the UK's electricity is generated from renewables by 2030'. And to 'ensure that all new homes are zero carbon'.

Other eco-friendly politics from the Lib Dems include a net zero Britain target for 2045 and creating three new national parks. 

It wouldn't just be nuclear that Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats would disagree on, as Mr Broadhurst also said at the hustings that 'net zero is crippling our economy.'

According to the National Grid, nuclear power is not renwable.

Neil Christian is one of seven candidates on the ballot paper in Macclesfield.

Macclesfield will go to the polls on July 4 from 7am to 10pm.

The candidates are: Stephen Broadhurst (Reform UK), Neil Christian (Liberal Democrats), Dickie Fletcher (Social Democratic Party), Amanda Iremonger (Green Party), Tim Roca (Labour Party), David Rutley (Conservatives), Christopher Wellavize (Independent).

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Candidates left to right: David Rutley, Neil Christian, Amanda Iremonger. Fourth from left is Manny Botwe, who is not a candidate, and is the headteacher of Tytherington School. Stephen Broadhurst, Christopher Wellavize, Tim Roca, Dickie Fletcher.