Rishi Sunak’s Government was plunged into fresh crisis on Friday as a Tory MP vowed to stand down "as soon as possible" over new legislation he argues “clearly promotes the production of new oil and gas”.
As the Prime Minister tried to kick start a Tory New Year recovery, he was hit by a bombshell announcement from former energy minister Chris Skidmore.
It means the Tories will have to defend two seats which could easily swing to Labour in upcoming by-elections.
Mr Skidmore, who said he will resign the Conservative whip, launched a scathing attack on Mr Sunak’s green credentials which have already been heavily criticised by former environment minister Lord Goldsmith.
A by-election will be held in his Kingswood constituency in Gloucestershire, providing another headache for Rishi Sunak.
The Tories are already gearing up for a by-election in Wellingborough after disgraced MP Peter Bone was unseated by voters in a recall petition.
Mr Skidmore, who led a Government review of net zero, said the "future will judge harshly" anyone who backs the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill due before the Commons on Monday.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, he said the bill "would in effect allow more frequent new oil and gas licences and the increased production of new fossil fuels in the North Sea".
The politician has previously opposed the bill and said he did not vote in the King's Speech debate to protest it being in the Government's legislative programme.
The former minister said: "As the former energy minister who signed the UK's net zero commitment by 2050 into law, I cannot vote for a Bill that clearly promotes the production of new oil and gas."
He went on: "To fail to act, rather than merely speak out, is to tolerate a status quo that cannot be sustained. I am therefore resigning my party whip and instead intend to be free from any party-political allegiance."
Mr Skidmore added that his decision to resign the whip meant his constituents "deserve the right to elect a new Member of Parliament".
He said: "I therefore will be standing down from Parliament as soon as possible."
He confirmed to the PA news agency that he would quit "next week when Parliament is back", with the Commons still on its Christmas recess until Monday.
Well said @CSkidmoreUK
— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) January 5, 2024
The Party will need to regroup after Sunak has crashed it against the rocks. Those who see themselves as part of that future should think very carefully about backing this nonsense policy https://t.co/AmOoFsMGS4
Responding to Mr Skidmore's post Lord Goldsmith wrote on X: "Well said Chris Skidmore the party will need to regroup after Sunak has crashed it against the rocks.
"Those who see themselves as part of that future should think very carefully about backing this nonsense policy."
Reacting to the news about Mr Skidmore's resignation Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said: "As the world burns, the Tories turn in on themselves.
"The Government's green credentials are truly in tatters. The climate crisis is here and now and being experienced by people across the country, but the Prime Minister can't hold on to anyone who has any good intentions toward the environment."
