Conservative members – and by default the whole country – have been let down by the current leadership race. Both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss have almost completely ignored the climate and biodiversity crisis in their pitches to party members, effectively jeopardising the future of millions.
The Conservative party as a whole, along with the other mainstream parties, has miserably failed Britain on climate, displaying a nonchalant attitude to the danger and a lack of commitment to action. Leadership has been so lacking on this issue that my co-founders and I felt compelled to create a new single-issue, centre-right party to champion these concerns: the Climate party.
Likened to the inept Dad’s Army by the chairman of the Climate Change Committee, the Conservative government is not even on track to its meet own target to hit net zero by 2050 – a target considered by many scientists to be too late to avoid dangerous and increasingly lethal climate chaos.
The Climate party is advocating the earlier date of 2030 for decarbonisation – a target much more likely to keep us safe. And it’s not just about avoiding catastrophe: Britain has a chance to grip this immense commercial opportunity, or else let it slip through faltering hands and allow others to lead (and profit from) this urgent transition.
When Britain reaches this target, decarbonising every aspect of its economy by 2030, then we will have first mover advantage. Britain’s decarbonised businesses will be global leaders. A decade or more of British prosperity would ensue.
Poll after poll has shown that taking action on climate change consistently comes near the top of lists of issues worrying many Conservatives, as well as vast swaths of the British public. Among other major concerns are the cost of living crisis and energy security. Both these issues will be solved through investing to decarbonise by 2030.
Whichever party leader (or potential leader) you listen to, they all bang on about making Britain’s economy stronger. Those on the right of centre espouse free enterprise and private ownership. We all want government to encourage the conditions for businesses to thrive, thereby growing the British economy.
But why do our current leaders not see the potential in decarbonisation? It’s almost as if the Conservative party, the supposed party of business, wants us to miss the boat. Britain should be brave, power up and lead the world.
Releasing the brakes and stimulating a flurry of entrepreneurial activity to reach zero carbon by 2030 would at the same time satisfy that innately conservative desire to preserve our institutions and the society in which they function, both of which are currently threatened by out-of-control climate change. Britain can do this. Britain can get climate done!
The Climate party will ensure British climate leadership while upholding true conservative values and supporting businesses. We will put forward a minimum of 110 candidates in the next general election, taking on the Conservative party in all their marginal seats and additionally facing down all MPs who have stood in the way of rapid climate action, such as those Conservative MPs in the Net Zero Scrutiny Group.
The Climate party is about thriving, not just about surviving. Our aim is clear: the Conservative party should adopt a programme to decarbonise Britain by 2030; or, at the next general election, we will strive to replace a sufficient number of Conservative MPs in parliament in order to influence that agenda ourselves.
No longer will it be necessary for climate-conscious Conservative voters to feel disenfranchised. The Climate party is here to represent them.
Ed Gemmell is leader of the Climate party, a Buckinghamshire councillor, and managing director of Scientists Warning Europe
