As the dust settles on Rishi’s Net Zero rollback, the prevailing sentiment among the majority of Tory MPs, think tanks, and industry leaders alike is mostly positive – apart from a few squawky outliers. While the likes of Zac Goldsmith and Chris Skidmore aren’t happy, Guido hears most Tory MPs see it as a pragmatic move. One told Guido “it’s been relatively well received so far [and] they’ve got the tone right”. As always, Guido brings you the low down on the reactions over in Wonk World:
The Taxpayers’ Alliance Chief John O’Connell reacted as expected, saying the TPA is pleased that Brits won’t have to dig deeper into their pockets: “Brits will be relieved by these sensible moves to take the heat off household budgets. Families and businesses want solutions to the real problem of climate change that go beyond asking them to dig ever deeper into shrinking pockets. The prime minister is right to approach this issue with hard-pressed households in mind.”
The Institute of Economic Affairs’ Andy Mayer welcomed the changes, whilst hinting that he’d like to see more, saying they’re “a welcome step but could go further“.
The Adam Smith Institute’s Imogen Yates points out that “arbitrary top-down targets” are a poor strategy: “We should focus on a carrot rather than a stick approach – instead of having stringent regulations and outright bans, we should harness the power of the free-market to encourage innovation in cleaner technology and limit negative externalities. The government must also now concentrate on building the infrastructure such as EV charging points, and ensuring that our national grid will be able to cope.” Where there’s a will there’s a free market way…
Inevitably the GMB Union weren’t overwhelmingly supportive, attacking the government for not having a “credible plan to tackle climate change“. They did note that their calls to scrap the ban on gas boilers were heeded…
The Countryside Alliance were more sympathetic, saying “The PM is right to provide significantly more time for people to transition to heat pumps, understanding that in some circumstances it just won’t work.”
Toyota also came out in favour of the move, calling the “welcome” changes “pragmatic“. Jaguar Land Rover also agreed. This is despite Ford’s furious comments that the roll back would undermine the government’s “ambition, commitment and consistency”. As Kemi Badenoch rightly pointed out, the auto industry “certainly does not always speak with one voice…”
Driving the agenda…
The Countryside Alliance isn’t happy after Wales’ Minister for Climate Change, Julie James, suggested people should only consume meat on “high days and holidays”. Not the first time a lefty administration has tried attacking our meat-eating freedoms…
“Personally I’m a lifelong vegetarian but there is nothing wrong with eating meat but we just have to be eating it as a high days and holidays type of thing.”
The Alliance has hit back suggesting Ms James “reflect on her comments” and “on the implications” it could have for Welsh livestock farmers:
“Livestock farmers already face daily challenges and we would ask that the Minister reflects on the implications of these regrettable comments and how they are likely to be negatively perceived by our hard working farming community, who do so much to protect and preserve our beautiful countryside.”
The Welsh Conservative’s Shadow Minister said James’s comments “show a complete lack of understanding of the importance of meat as part of a balanced diet and how it underpins our agricultural and rural economy.” It seems mad cow disease has passed to humans…
In possibly peak Tory wonk watch news, Guido learns that the distinguished journalist and Thatcher biographer Charles Moore is to join the Countryside Alliance’s new top team following a comprehensive reshuffle of the lobby group’s board. The Alliance describe soon-to-be Lord Moore as a “Keen hunting man and a staunch defender of the rights and beliefs of rural people and communities”. Two new jobs for Moore in a month, he’s on his way to beating Osborne’s record at this rate…
He is to be joined on the new board with Lord Daresbury – Master of the Hunt for 29 seasons – and Chris Horne – the managing director for shoot selling day website GunsOnPegs. Alliance Chairman Nick Herbert sais: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract such high-quality individuals to join our Board. Their experience and insight will be hugely valuable to the Alliance’s work for the countryside”. The 2019 Tory Manifesto famously avoided Theresa May’s fox hunting faux pas – will this new team be able to secure yet another u-turn from this government?
An eco-warrior administration at Enfield Council is set to become the first elected body in the UK to ban meat in an attempt to tackle climate change. Buried on page 36 of their “Enfield climate action plan 2020” it is spelt out that from December 2020 onwards, “all events held by Enfield Council where catering is provided [will] offer only vegan or vegetarian options”. Guido will be sure to turn down any Enfield Council soirée invitations in future…
The new plan, written by the Labour council’s Deputy Leader Ian Barnes, clearly took inspiration from some hard left universities like Goldsmith’s, who are currently the only public bodies to have implemented such authoritarian policies. Guido understands the council gave minor lip service to taking public views on the plan, holding a consultation for less than a month in the middle of the Coronavirus lockdown. The council cabinet agreed to the plan on 15th July…
Mo Metcalf-Fisher of the Countryside Alliance is unimpressed with the move, telling Guido:
“It’s telling that those behind this illogical proposal have sought to bury what they know will be an incredibly unpopular policy deep within a lengthy document. Banning meat is completely the wrong approach and demonstrates no understanding of how meat in this country is produced, which thanks to UK farming practices, is among the most sustainable in the world.
Enfield Council would do well to actually consult with the farming community as well as their local residents and drop this proposed ban immediately.”
As per usual with left-wing governments, your freedom at steak…
