Discovering significant policy differences between the UK Tory and Labour parties is no easy job. But with the prospect of a humiliating electoral defeat looming in the sights of Rishi Sunak’s government, the prime minister is working to create the impression of a gulf on green policies.
Days after our reporting on new carbon ‘net zero’ rhetoric, the Tories have signalled that they are about to approve 100 new oil and gas licences to companies that wish to operate in the North Sea. Labour is opposed to new licences, which it claims dirties its vision of Britain as a “clean energy superpower.”
The move has succeeded in angering the Liberal green movement, with the Green Liberal Democrats describing it as an act of “arson.” Writers at The Guardian have also urged against the licences, highlighting a report which found that recent approvals will produce as much carbon dioxide as the annual emissions of nearly 14 million cars. It remains to be seen whether those frustrated by the green lobby will accept this as a serious-enough step away from the agenda, given the Conservative Party’s continued drive down the road towards net zero.
While controversial on the surface, Mr. Sunak has been clear that the new licences are a key part of the “transition to net zero.” That is to say that the fundamental target remains the same, but a little more oil and gas than previously expected will be extracted on the way to achieving this.
During a visit to Scotland, the prime minister again cited the war in Ukraine as a justification for policy at home, noting that
We have all witnessed how Putin has manipulated and weaponised energy—disrupting supply and stalling growth in countries around the world. Now more than ever, it’s vital that we bolster our energy security and capitalise on that independence to deliver more affordable, clean energy to British homes and businesses.
Even when we’ve reached net zero in 2050, a quarter of our energy needs will come from oil and gas. But there are those who would rather that it come from hostile states than from the supplies we have here at home.
We’re choosing to power up Britain from Britain and invest in crucial industries such as carbon capture and storage, rather than depend on more carbon intensive gas imports from overseas—which will support thousands of skilled jobs, unlock further opportunities for green technologies and grow the economy.
In a comment for The Sunday Times, he also made it clear that new licences are intended to highlight a difference between his party and that of Sir Keir Starmer, who he said “doesn’t realise … people don’t want to risk the lights going out.”
