Former net zero tsar criticises PM for aligning with climate sceptics and undermining green

Chris Skidmore, the former Conservative minister and net zero tsar, has announced he will vote Labour for the first time, condemning Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his rollback of green policies and his decision to “side with climate deniers.” Skidmore, who resigned from his post in January over the government’s handling of new oil and gas licenses, has become the most senior Tory figure to publicly support Sir Keir Starmer’s party, adding pressure to Sunak’s leadership as he faces dwindling public support.

In a scathing critique, Skidmore accused Sunak of deliberately politicising the energy transition and using “extremist rhetoric” to frame net zero policies as burdensome. Skidmore’s remarks reflect a deep frustration with Sunak’s environmental agenda, which he claims is driven by “ignorance and deliberate misinformation.”

“The decision to side with climate deniers and politicise the energy transition is perhaps the greatest tragedy of his premiership,” Skidmore wrote in an article for The Guardian. He argued that Sunak’s stance not only harms the environment but also weakens the economy, suggesting it risks losing the UK a “great economic opportunity.”

Skidmore also expressed disillusionment with the Conservative Party’s stance on net zero, emphasising that the government’s recent manifesto, which includes plans to issue new oil and gas licenses, goes against the global trend of tackling climate change. He stated that the current rhetoric around net zero, framed as an imposition rather than an opportunity, has cost the Tories vital votes, including in his own constituency of Kingswood, where Labour won a by-election following his resignation.

Acknowledging the need for urgent action on the climate crisis, Skidmore declared his support for Labour, citing the party’s commitment to achieving net zero as one of its five key priorities. “I believe Labour is best placed to foster economic growth and drive the green industrial revolution,” he added, highlighting that net zero should be seen as a benefit, not a burden.

This marks a significant shift in Skidmore’s political allegiance, as he previously worked closely with the Conservative government to push for greener policies. His defection to Labour underscores the mounting frustration within the Conservative Party over its handling of climate and energy policies, which could have long-term consequences for its electoral prospects.