Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has moved to rule out the possibility of a referendum on the UK’s commitments to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, as a former home secretary called for the government to “review and reflect” on its approach.
Speaking to ITV on Wednesday during a visit to Leicester, Mr. Sunak said: “I think actually there’s agreement on it. Most people are committed to getting to net zero but getting there in a proportionate and pragmatic way. That seems to me the common sense approach to doing this that has broad support.”
Priti Patel Critical of Approach
It comes as those on both sides of the net zero debate have accused the government of sending mixed signals, following the recent approval of new contracts for gas and oil licences in the North Sea.Former Home Secretary Priti Patel told The Epoch Times via email: “The government needs to review and reflect on its approach to net zero targets. Hitting households and businesses with higher costs and taxes is causing concern and a more strategic and realistic approach is needed.
“We all want to see action taken to develop new technologies and innovation to improve energy efficiency and reduce the impact of carbon and this needs to be done in a sensible way that has the confidence of the public, protects our freedoms and keeps costs down.”
‘Chasing Approval’ From ‘Woke Eco-Zealot Crowd’
Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North, told The Telegraph on Wednesday that he is in favour of a referendum “given the complexity of this issue and its far-reaching consequences.”Karl McCartney, MP for Lincoln, told the outlet: “Just like Brexit, the government needs to make sure the public are on board with such radical changes, and that they hear the arguments and can make an informed decision.
“The establishment was solely focused on chasing approval from London’s woke eco-zealot crowd who have no clue what happens in the real world.”
However, a group of around 150 Tory MPs told Mr. Sunak to ignore the “siren voices” of those calling on the weakening of net-zero targets.
Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood and former net-zero tsar, said: “Net zero is no longer just about the environment, critical though that is.
‘Vested Interests’
Reacting to the government’s position, Richard Tice, leader of the Reform Party, told The Epoch Times via email: “Of course the PM as part of the establishment does not want a referendum on net zero, because he knows that Nigel [Farage] and I would probably lead it, and we would win it, as we did the last one!”Speaking to the motivation behind government policymaking, he added that “vested interests are making so much money from net zero.”
In July, in reaction to the Uxbridge by-election, which was seen as a key indicator against support for the London mayor’s pro-net-zero policymaking, Mr. Sunak commented, “We’re going to make progress towards net zero but we’re going to do that in a proportionate and pragmatic way that doesn’t unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives—that’s not what I’m interested in and prepared to do.”
