Back in the summer of 2001 there was much talk of a nuclear renaissance. Brian Wilson, a passionate advocate of nuclear power, was appointed Energy Minister and Tony Blair made several supportive statements.

Wilson told anyone who would listen that nuclear power was essential to tackle climate change and that renewables, while all very well, would never deliver significant amounts of electricity. The scientific establishment, in the shape of the Royal Society and the Government's Chief Scientist, David King, weighed in with the "scientific" opinion that climate change goals could not be met without new nuclear stations - despite the fact that the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution had published scenarios showing exactly how it could be done.

In February 2003, the long-awaited energy white paper was launched. Blair gave a speech about the need to cut carbon emissions by 60% (the target suggested by the Royal Commission) and the central role of technology in delivering that. He did not make a single reference to nuclear power. He gave an unprecedentedly upbeat assessment of the potential of renewables, and spoke in ringing terms about the role of hydrogen in delivering clean energy.

The white paper itself had some words about keeping the nuclear option open, but no measures to help the industry. The industry had lobbied hard for more subsidy, exemption from the Climate Change Levy, reduction in their local authority rate bill, just about anything that would enable them to stay afloat economically. They had demanded special planning treatment - so-called pre-licence agreements - to help circumvent local opposition. They failed to get anything. The spin around the white paper launch was about the end of nuclear power, and the commentary in the following day's papers was about whether the industry was completely dead, or just very nearly. No wonder Bernard Ingham, the country's best-known nuclear advocate, was incandescent with rage.

Brian Wilson outside the DTI

We met Energy Minister Brian Wilson on the steps of the DTI, to present him with a bunch of red roses and a Valentine's Day card from the nuclear power industry.

Wearing radiation suits and goggles, we gave him a card, signed 'with love from the nuclear industry', containing the following heartfelt poem:

"Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
The nuclear industry,
Would've died without you."