“Net Zero is killing British jobs, killing British communities…and it’s killing the economy.” the Reform UK leader says.
Instead of building a legacy in concrete things they actually achieved, our leaders instead now try to conjure one by setting a binding but remote aspiration and letting others work out the details.
They want a party representing views downplayed by the elite —the desire for lower immigration, the desire for a self-governing nation with secure borders, and the desire for an economy which prioritises British workers.
The green revolution wants to change the way we heat our homes, the kind of transport we use, the products we buy from industry, and the diets we eat.
Meaningful fiscal devolution within England would face huge opposition from Labour councils; anything else would not give town halls the incentive to undertake difficult reforms.
Last week was a critical turning point in the debate on Net Zero. Both the main political parties now need to be honest with voters and declare that the entire project and in particular electricity decarbonisation need an urgent re-think.
Being in tune with voters’ concerns could mean saving some seats as well as saving the planet.
Our generating capacity and National Grid infrastructure are nowhere near ready for a full transition away from fossil fuels, and the political price of forcing lower living standards on voters will be very steep indeed.
With better cost controls and an attack on some of these areas of needless spending, Sunak and Hunt could show how you get more public services for less – and free up money for tax cuts too.
I hope the British public get an answer. Because these are highly consequential decisions about the future shape of the state. £28 billion is £4 billion more than the annual Home Office budget.
Most Conservative MPs are desparate to avoid one any time soon. It may not have occured to some that bringing down the Bill could bring about precisely the outcome they want to avoid.
Developing our remaining reserves creates employment opportunities and generates much-needed tax revenues as we transition to alternatives.
Skidmore was already planning to stand down at the next election, but said his decision to resign now was ahead of a vote on Monday on the issuing of new oil and gas licences.
As “world-beating” Britain became the first G20 country to mandate new rules, our competitors, including the United States, are having second thoughts about all these extra layers of regulation.
We can already see how new farming methods like direct drilling have helped improve both yields and biodiversity. But excessive red tape is blocking many more.