The Government has been accused of being “out of touch” with the public on net zero policy during a Commons session on energy security and net-zero. Conservative backbenchers questioned the strategy, with Energy Minister Justin Tomlinson stating the party must “win hearts and minds”.
Reform MP Lee Anderson called green energy industrialist and Labour donor Dale Vince a “rich eco-fanatic”, while former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns branded the net zero agenda “economic madness”. She argued it outsources carbon production to China and forces higher heating and energy costs.
Tomlinson, who took up the role last week, defended the Government’s approach, emphasising the need to work with the public and businesses. He cited the Powering Up Britain plan, which aims to secure energy supply, improve efficiency, and reduce bills.
Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell warned that the party is “not taking the people with us”, noting constituents prioritise energy security and affordability over what he called an “extreme agenda” that could benefit China. Tomlinson reiterated the importance of winning hearts and minds.
Anderson cited a University of York report claiming the poorest 40% of UK households will be worse off under net zero policies, asking for the total cost to the nearest trillion pounds. Energy Minister Andrew Bowie replied that the Government has protected the poorest from rising bills, and warned that only a Labour government would allow Vince and his “climate extremists” influence.
