Tory members have voiced concerns over Kemi Badenoch's climate change strategy after Britain was ravaged by extreme weather this summer.
At the Conservative's annual conference in Birmingham, the Conservatives have vowed to scrap Natural England and the Environment Agency, on top of its long-established plans to ditch Net Zero targets. But a summer of heatwaves and wildfires, with El Nino on the way this winter, has left some Tories worried about the party's strategy.
Members speak out at conference
David Stinson, a Tory member based in London, told the Mirror: “I think climate change is a huge issue, and I do think we need to take it really seriously. Look at what happened this summer, and look at today. The weather's amazing. It shouldn't be this amazing right now. So I do think we need to start taking it more seriously. So maybe that's one policy that I'm not aligned with.”
Luke O’Hara, a Tory member based in East Grinstead and Uckfield, said he was not convinced by Ms Badenoch’s strategy on climate change.
He told The Mirror: “The Conservatives will have their reasons for scrapping net zero, scrapping all of this sort of stuff, and that's perfectly justifiable. But what I really haven't seen is any policy towards climate change. You can say: ‘Oh well, scrapping net zero is unrealistic.’ Okay, fine, but what are you going to do to prevent climate change, etc? That's the one thing I really haven't seen. The stuff about drilling oil and gas. That's the one policy I'm just not with them on. It won't change prices… basic economics tells you that. Sorry, Kemi, I love you, but that thing, I’m not convinced.”
Concerns over extreme weather
Deanna Keene, a Tory member based in north London, added: “Even this time last year, I was in a thick cold, but this year I'm even without a coat. We keep getting these droughts one minute, then we've got heavy rain and these wildfires coming from nowhere in areas you would never think would ever have that. I think it will take for something really drastic to happen, then that's the only time they might act. But it could be too late, so I'm hoping and praying that they will open their eyes and see what they need to do.”
Luke Tryl, More in Common’s executive director, told The Mirror the challenge for the Conservatives is setting out an alternative to net zero, if they’re scrapping the 2050 target to hit it.
“There’s no doubt that worry about climate change is a big issue to voters. Regularly when we ask over two thirds of voters say that it's an issue that they are worried about and they want to see action on. Net zero itself is more split. So a group of voters who think net zero is the way to do it. You've got a group of voters who would like another way of tackling climate change. And I think the challenge for the Conservatives is if they're not doing net zero by 2050, but still saying, as I think maybe as Badenoch has, climate change is real. What's your alternative? And I think the pressure will grow to be like, how are you going to deal with this? Particularly after a summer when the heatwaves freaked people out.”
Badenoch's position on climate
Ms Badenoch has said she believes climate change is “real” but has criticised a ban on new drilling in the north sea, as well as the UK’s target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The Tory leader told The Telegraph in July: “Climate change is real. The net zero plans are not. They are a political fiction, bankrupting the country, destroying British industry and perversely increasing carbon emissions. Banning oil and gas drilling from Aberdeen, which has a low carbon footprint, only to import oil and gas from places that drill in a dirty fashion, makes no sense whatsoever. Conservatives care about the environment, clean energy and protecting our natural landscape. But that needs common sense.”
