Why Reform’s approach to environmental issues is wrong and ideologically inconsistent

Reform UK likes to position itself as the party of straight talking and common sense. But its position on environmental issues is anything but.

Aalhad Kulkarni | Next Gen CEN

Whilst Reform’s position on net stupid zero seems pretty clear to Richard Tice, other politicians within Reform are openly supportive of green jobs and investment, most notably the Mayor of Hull. Unlike Tice, Mayor Luke Campbell rightly recognises the opportunities decarbonisation is bringing to his local area.

The science is clear - manmade climate change is happening. Reform's half-baked plan will only lead to the further destruction of our natural environment and furthermore it is completely ideologically and economically inconsistent.

Firstly, they want to pick the winners for our energy supply. Instead of letting the markets and people decide, they’d ban forms of green technology they don’t like such as solar, wind and battery storage. This will limit innovation and reduce the private investment we desperately need to deliver economic growth.

Secondly, their approach completely lacks economic credibility. Most of Reform’s cited £45bn cost of net zero is not taxpayer money, but private investment. It is disingenuous of them to claim they can simply redirect all of this to fund their expensive spending plans. 

On top of this Reform wants to rip up existing renewable subsidy contracts that are legally binding and cannot be removed without significant compensation. This would shake investor confidence in the UK and hinder needed future economic growth. And we are already witnessing this with Richard Tice’s recent attempt to discourage investment from the biggest wind and solar developers in the UK. These investors will simply take their money elsewhere.

Reform’s energy policies are restrictive and will mean we miss out on opportunities for economic growth and creating new British jobs. We should be fostering growth, not stifling it. 

Reform’s positions on energy policy spotlight just how unprepared they are to govern. They reveal their lack of economic competence, ideological cohesion and socialist impulses to ban and restrict innovation. There is a vacuum for the Conservatives to fill with a pro-market approach which drives down bills and tackles climate change. 

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