Net Zero

Fossil fuels have to be wound down if we're not going to see mass migration of populations from baking areas to those that are more equable by virtue of having a maritime climate, such as the UK.

Sunak can say whatever he likes about still being committed to Net Zero, because he's not going to be in power after the next election and won't be held to account. It's the same old same old that they keep trotting out - "The government remains committed to ......" fill in the blanks with whatever they have said they're committed to, but the evidence shows they aren't.

Issuing new North Sea licences doesn't benefit the UK directly, as the oil belongs to the exploration companies and will be fed into the global market, from which the UK will buy it at the prevailing rate. Yes, there's an argument that says that the oil could be diverted to the UK in times of emergency, but not otherwise. It's a free market.

Granting new licences detracts from the urgency over generating renewable energy sources and infrastructure, which is not only where the future lies, but an area where new jobs can be created - jobs with a future - and the energy so generated is 100% ours, no question about that.

It's a bit like when the motor car was invented, the government saying they'll invest in more horse studs, rather than investing in car factories.

As for coming out against ULEZ expansion; in 2020 Grant Shapps was urging Mayor Khan to extend ULEZ. It's an opportunistic manoeuvre that is focused on retaining power at any cost.

Climate and oil has become the Conservatives' new Culture War issue, and will come back to bite them on the bum. It's not just opening up a policy divide with Labour, but opening up a logic and truth divide.