Sunak insists net zero delays ‘not about politics’ as Tories split over plan

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rishi Sunak insisted his delay on net zero policies was not a “short-term decision” aimed at winning the next general election. The Prime Minister said that as chancellor, he was already critical of Mr Johnson’s government being “on autopilot to just adopt” green policies. “And now as Prime Minister, I’ve got an opportunity to change things and what I don’t want to do is make yet more short-term decisions, easy ways out and ultimately not be straight with the country about what those mean for them.” But he ruled out the prospect of a public vote on the commitment to reach net zero by 2050: “I think we have had enough referendums, quite frankly.” Mr Johnson warned Mr Sunak not to “falter” on key climate crisis initiatives, arguing that heaping uncertainty on businesses could drive up prices for British families. “I now urge the Government to abolish the windfall tax on oil and gas and lift the fracking ban, which would reduce people’s energy bills and make the UK more competitive.” The Conservative Environment Network warned Mr Sunak his “unnecessary” watering down of green policies “risks damaging the Conservative Party’s hard-won reputation on environmental issues”.