Sunak launches defence of Tories’ 14 years in power as campaign nears end
GuardianJUN 2024
The Spin
Conservative Party narrative
Sunak’s decision to scale back a host of ridiculous net zero policies is to be commended. While sticking to the UK’s legally-binding 2050 target, the prime minister is ensuring that climate measures are not implemented at the expense of increased financial burdens for struggling families. Sunak’s proportionate approach to environmental policy is a stark contrast to Labour and Starmer’s heavy-handed approach.
Labour Party narrative
Sadiq Khan's third successive victory in London is a fine example of Labour success built upon the foundations of a strong environmental focus, and this must be replicated on a national level. Starmer must be optimistic in his climate commitments in order to secure the support of the moderate and progressive voters who have been consistently ignored by the Tories for years.
Establishment-critical narrative
Government net zero policies and targets are a profound example of utopian state overreach. Both Conservative and Labour green plans are outrageously expensive and overly idealistic, while the financial pressures of these plans will come at a severe cost to the British public. Cheap energy is within the UK’s reach, but first the country must allow consumers and the markets to make their own choices instead of forcing a fanatical environmental agenda.
Progressive narrative
The UK is but one example within a scary trend of Western countries sacrificing the Earth’s future through rightwing populist policies. The current Conservative Party has ripped up the UK’s previously bipartisan environmental consensus in a desperate bid to save themselves from humiliation at the next general election. By continuing to kick the can down the road, the Tories are placing future generations in extreme danger.