BoJo’s political weakness jeopardizes climate action – Will you be disappointed by that?

Guest essay by Eric Worrall

UK Prime Minister Boris “Lockdown Party” Johnson’s deteriorating political fortunes are worrying climate activists, who fear his successor may focus more on reducing costs active rather than hitting net zero.

Campaigners say Johnson’s political weakness puts climate agenda at risk

Analysts fear the government’s commitment to net zero is facing its most serious test yet as PM comes under increasing pressure

Fiona Harvey
Environmental reporter
Wednesday, January 12, 2022 05.08 AEDT

The government’s climate agenda is under threat as Boris Johnson’s popularity declines, according to green campaigners who work closely with the Conservatives.

As the prime minister faces accusations of a further party lockdown and angry Conservative MPs seek answers over rising energy prices and the cost of living crisis, analysts fear The government’s commitment to net zero is facing its most severe test yet.

“Johnson is the standard-bearer of net zero and a lot of people are happy with that,” said Tom Burke, co-founder of the green think tank E3G and a veteran government adviser. Now there is a continuous attack from the air right. They see the prime minister’s political weakness, and they see net zero as a flank to attack him.”

Rishi Sunak, prime minister, is meet Tory backbench MPs this week to allay fears that the squeeze on incomes due to rising inflation and rising gas prices will turn voters away, especially the “red wall” seats in the north of England. He is under pressure from agencies to speak out to abandon green measures such as carbon taxes, which play a small role in energy bills.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/enosystem/2022/jan/11/boris-johnson-climate-action-net-zero-conservative-party

In his frantic struggle to survive, Boris Johnson has put his weight behind populist measures like Eliminate the BBC’s mandatory licensing fee, which in itself would be a major blow against climate activism, by putting BBC radio in the consumer choice.

I think this political farce will get a lot funnier before Boris Johnson loses his job. I look forward to writing about all those costly green initiatives that BoJo doesn’t hesitate to throw away excessively, in a frantic but futile attempt to save her own skin.