Prime Minister Andy Burnham's response to the escalating emergency of wildfires, drought restrictions across most of the country, and two train derailments in as many days was criticized as inadequate. Banning disposable BBQs and issuing an anti-terror phone alert were seen as half-baked measures.
In his No 10 statement, Burnham failed to mention the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis that is fueling extreme temperatures. This was a rare misstep in an otherwise largely sure-footed start to his Premiership, especially after a performative Cobra meeting that declared war on outdoor foil cooking trays.
Surprising Silence from a Green Advocate
The omission was surprising given Burnham's powerful past speeches as Greater Manchester Mayor, where he advocated for protecting our way of life and saving the planet from the polluting, expensive, and deadly carbon generated by burning gas, oil, and coal.
It was also a missed opportunity for the UK Labour government to continue investing in green jobs and technology to produce safer, cleaner, and ultimately more reliable and cheaper renewable electricity, following in the footsteps of previous Conservative and ConDem coalition governments.
Economic and Social Priorities
Lowering the cost of living and improving living standards remain the most immediate concerns for most voters. The PM faces a battle to explain to a misled public that net migration is actually way down and small boat crossings are lower, despite even bigger vessels being used.
Burnham's focus on social care, particularly how to provide and fund support without depleting savings or selling homes, is a laudable goal that will consume much of his bandwidth.
The Cost of Ignoring Climate Crisis
The cost of ignoring the causes of the climate crisis would be needlessly high, especially since reaching net zero remains popular despite the hot air from Reform ranters and Tory twisters who have dumped their own policy.
Burnham is capable of owning the future and recovering lost Labour votes to the Greens, instead of appeasing those living in the past. As a fluent and good communicator, still enjoying goodwill from sceptics and with better approval ratings than rival leaders, he should make an argument he would win: go green, vote red.
