Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party appear to have concluded, on the basis of a solitary and surprise by-election victory, to trash the Government’s record on the environment. It is a curious decision — and one that threatens not only Britain’s ability to combat catastrophic climate change, but also ignores the far more nuanced views of voters up and down the country.
The Prime Minister visited Scotland today to announce that hundreds of new oil and gas licences will be granted. In isolation, this would be controversial enough. But coming after days of briefing that ministers would launch a review of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, 20mph speed limits and, of course, the party’s enthusiastic opposition to the Ulez extension, it paints a picture of a leader going all-in on an anti-environmental agenda.
If this is an attempt to claw back public support, it is a gamble that could well fail. Instead, the Tories risk over-interpreting the result of a unique election. A poll for this newspaper today finds that three-quarters of people in Britain say it is becoming a worse place in which to live. The continuation of dirty air and disregard for the climate is unlikely to shift that narrative.
Stop shifting blame
Oversight of policing in London is a joint responsibility between the Mayor and the Home Secretary. All too often, that ensures neither side takes responsibility.
Policing minister Chris Philp hit out at the Metropolitan Police’s failure to recruit enough officers, calling it a “missed opportunity for the people of London” and warns the force could be 2,000 officers short next year. In a letter seen by the Standard, Philp told Sadiq Khan that he has “serious concerns” about the Met’s recruitment and urged the Mayor to do more to address the problems.
From the epidemic of teen knife murders to violence against women and girls, the capital needs more police. Khan is only too aware of this. The Met should have received 4,457 officers as a result of the 20,000 national uplift programme, but was left 1,089 short. Rather than the never-ending blame shifting, ministers and City Hall must work together for the safety of our city.
Broady bows out
He has taken 600 wickets in 167 tests, but Stuart Broad’s England career can scarcely be summed up in numbers. From bail-switching to declaring unsuccessful series null and void, the bowler has rarely delivered a dull moment in his near 20-year career. Whatever today’s result at the Oval, it has been quite the journey.
