Keir Starmer has condemned the prime minister’s climate policies, declaring the failure to invest in renewables such as wind turbines a “gift to Putin”.
The Labour leader also described the Conservatives’ onshore wind ban as “ludicrous” and said it now means every family in the country is paying £180 more on their energy bills.
“Every turbine we fail to build is a gift to Putin, who has strangled the international gas market we are hooked to,” Starmer wrote in the Times. “Last year, President Putin put his boot on the world’s neck by using energy as a weapon of war. But it is Conservative failure over many years that left Britain paying a heavy price.”
Starmer’s comments followed a wave of criticism of green policies from Rishi Sunak, following the Tories’ narrow byelection win in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which some have attributed to a protest vote against Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) in London.
Ministers’ net zero plans were also heavily criticised by their own advisers in June, when the government caused dismay by approving a new coalmine in Cumbria. Sunak has also recently pledged to “max out” the UK’s oil and gas reserves in the North Sea.
“David Cameron was told to ignore the long term and ‘cut the green crap’,” Starmer said. “He went along with it and oversaw a collapse in gas storage, prevented onshore wind, abandoned energy efficiency measures and stalled new nuclear projects.
“Each cut corner has added to today’s energy bills, piling up costs for every family and business and forcing the government to borrow more.
“The tragedy for Britain is that rather than learn from his predecessors’ mistakes, Rishi Sunak is making them all over again.”
Starmer also waded in about the apparent divide in the cabinet over new cars being electric or hybrid by 2030.
Last week, Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, suggested electric vehicle mandates could hamper investment in Britain and lead to job losses, in a sign that another of the government’s green pledges is in doubt.
Badenoch was discussing the automotive industry’s concerns about a rule to be introduced in January that will require manufacturers to ensure at least 22% of new sales in the UK are of emissions-free models, rising each year to reach 80% by 2030.
A manufacturer will be fined £15,000 for every polluting car sold over the limit, unless it can buy in extra allowances from another company.
The UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due in 2030. However, there are widespread concerns over whether Britain has adequate infrastructure and capacity for the growth of electric vehicles.
Starmer wrote: “Last week we had cabinet members arguing against all new cars being electric or hybrid by 2030, undermining the investor certainty we need to ensure a wide a range of affordable vehicles with the charging infrastructure to support them.
“That’s why Labour’s plan will give these manufacturers clarity, turbocharge the rollout of electric vehicles, increase the availability of charging points and lower costs for households in the process.
“While Labour is developing serious plans for the future of the British car industry and for British motorists, what is the prime minister focused on?
“Trying to create a cultural wedge between motorists and those who want to tackle climate change. It won’t work because British people overwhelmingly both drive cars and want to tackle climate change.”
Starmer also distanced himself from Just Stop Oil by criticising its call to immediately cease drilling for oil and gas, saying a Labour government would not revoke any existing licences and he would only block new oil and gas developments in the North Sea.
Last week Sunak announced plans to grant more than 100 exploration licences for new oilfields and gasfields before the next election, which experts said could be catastrophic for the climate.
Starmer wrote: “The likes of Just Stop Oil want us to simply turn off the taps in the North Sea, creating the same chaos for working people that they do on our roads. It’s contemptible.”
