Rishi Sunak is facing a storm of criticism after being branded a 'hypocrite' for using a private jet for a short domestic trip just hours after dramatically watering down Britain's key environmental commitments.
The Prime Minister's decision to travel from London to Leeds Bradford Airport - a journey that typically takes under three hours by train - via private aircraft has sparked outrage among environmental groups and political opponents.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
The controversial flight occurred mere hours after Sunak announced a major shift in the government's green policies, pushing back the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 and weakening other climate targets.
Labour's shadow minister Pat McFadden didn't hold back, stating: "The Prime Minister's decision to take a private jet to Leeds shows it's one rule for him and another for everyone else."
Defence Falls Flat
Downing Street attempted to defend the Prime Minister's travel choices, arguing that using private aircraft allows him to "maximise his time" for governing the country. However, this justification has been met with widespread scepticism.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas condemned the move as "climate hypocrisy on a galactic scale," adding that "ordinary people are being told to make sacrifices while the Prime Minister treats the planet like his personal taxi service."
Growing Environmental Backlash
The incident has amplified criticism of the government's environmental credentials at a time when:
- The UK's commitment to net zero by 2050 is being questioned
- Public confidence in climate policy is wavering
- International observers are scrutinising Britain's environmental leadership
As the controversy continues to gather momentum, the Prime Minister finds himself navigating turbulent political skies while attempting to defend his government's environmental record.
