RISHI Sunak has attracted fierce criticism from his own party as he prepares to roll back on the UK Government’s key climate commitments.
It emerged on Tuesday evening that the Prime Minister is considering a raft of delays to climate policies.
It has so far been suggested that he will push back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
He will also reportedly significantly weaken the Government’s commitment to phase out the installation of gas boilers.
Tory peer Zac Goldsmith, who quit as an environment minister in June, described the decision as “a moment of shame” for the UK.
“One of the few areas where the UK really is looked up to is on climate and the environment. Today, Sunak is dismantling that credibility, not by accident but by choice," he said.
He also appeared to question the PM’s mandate, adding: “He is doing so having taken over a party elected with a big majority on a manifesto that could not have been clearer about our commitment to tackle climate change and provide global environmental leadership.
“And after having solemnly pledged to his own MPs that he would honour those manifesto commitments.
“His short stint as PM will be remembered as the moment the UK turned its back on the world and on future generations.”
Elsewhere Sky News’s deputy political editor Sam Coates reported that some Tory MPs were “very surprised” about Sunak’s plans.
He said that one MP called it “anti-business” and that they were “seriously considering a no-confidence letter”.
Meanwhile, Tory MP Chris Skidmore said: “Rishi Sunak still has time to think again and not make the greatest mistake of his premiership, condemning the UK to missing out on what can be the opportunity of the decade to deliver growth, jobs and future prosperity.”
What have the SNP said?
In response to the news, the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn (below) said: “There is a global race to secure a Net Zero future. Winning the race delivers economic growth, cuts emissions and creates jobs.
“Scotland has the people and resources to do it. Meantime, this lot want to saddle us with the past. Don’t let them.”
Humza Yousaf meanwhile said: “Scotland is engaging with the world this week at #NYClimateWeek & seeking to demonstrate further global leadership on climate change.
“While the UK Government is reportedly about to dump key net zero commitments. In the face of a climate catastrophe, this would be unforgivable.”
Other MPs, including the SNP’s Stewart McDonald also took issue with the plans. He wrote on Twitter/X: “Burke said that conservatism was ‘a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are born’. Today’s Conservative Party is furiously determined to be no such thing, instead pursuing a chaotic and dangerous culture war.”
Has anyone defended Sunak?
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Home Secretary Suella Braverman defended the PM and denied the apparent shift was about “short-term political gain”.
“I actually think this is about the long-term. This is about ensuring sustainability over the long-term," she said.
She insisted the UK is a “global leader when it comes to setting the gold standard on the environment”.
“I agree with the Government position on this. What I also agree with is we need to adopt an approach of pragmatism and balance and we need to make sure that we achieve that goal but in a sustainable way and in a way that doesn’t impose undue and disproportionate costs on families and households, on workers.”
