The latest Cameron mantra: Praise a Page 3 girl

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Miss Hazell: She's hot on global warming

Under David Cameron, the Conservatives have made huge efforts to be seen as the 'green' party of British politics.

After unveiling their tree logo this year, the Tories' latest environmental publicity stunt will cause more raised eyebrows among traditional supporters.

On a list of people they consider the green heroes of the past 12 months, including Sir David Attenborough and Prince Charles, the Tories have recognised the "good work" of topless model Keeley Hazell.

Miss Hazell, 20, poses as a Page 3 girl in downmarket newspapers and is not well known for her political work.

But now she appears to be the latest weapon in Mr Cameron's campaign to shed the party's stuffy image.

A spokesman for the Conservative Party defended the choice, claiming she had brought the concept of global warming to a mass audience during a hectic year encouraging people to save energy.

Miss Hazell posed semi-naked covered in green paint in a newspaper alongside various tips advising readers how they could help the environment.

Her recommendations included making love in the dark to reduce electricity consumption, adding: "Turning off lights can be a big turn-on."

And on the subject of transport, Miss Hazell, who is known professionally only as Keeley, advises riding a bicycle to work instead of taking the car, explaining: "Cycling will tone you up, giving you a fantastic physique and making you irresistible to the opposite sex."

She also has wise words on the environmental benefits of digital cameras on Page 3 photo-shoots. She said: "I insist my sexy pics are taken by digital camera, so invest in one. Film processing and developing uses toxic chemicals."

The inclusion of a glamour model in the Tories' latest press stunt is expected to bring renewed criticism that the party is dumbing down its message. It comes after widespread scorn for adverts telling voters to "release their inner tosser" featuring a character in a garish turquoise suit who encourages a young man to do stupid things such as binge-drinking.

The ads were seen as a gift for Labour politicians who ridiculed Mr Cameron over his "hug a hoodie" and "love a lout" initiatives as well as suggestions by Conservative MP Greg Clark that the Tories should ditch the views of Winston Churchill for the opinions of Leftwing writer Polly Toynbee.

A Conservative spokesman said of Miss Hazell last night: "She has been bringing awareness to a wider audience, people who wouldn't normally consider climate change a priority. She's had a busy year promoting energy saving."

Planet Earth presenter Sir David Attenborough was named an environmental hero for promoting the "moral duty" to cut emissions.

And California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was included after introducing laws to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Among those branded "environmental zeros" by the Tories were oil giant Exxon Mobil for funding thinktanks denying the effect of human activity on climate change and Iceland's government for whaling.

Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth said: "2006 was the year when the environment took its rightful place at the centre of British politics.

"Climate change is an enormous issue requiring urgent action to prevent an ecological, economic and social catastrophe.

"This list is by no means comprehensive, but takes a look at some of those who have been a part of the solution in 2006, and some who are still part of the problem."

 

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