Reform oppose net zero... unless it's in their own backyard

Nigel Farage’s Reform are campaigning hard against plans to make Britain net zero by 2050, this week making claims – roundly mocked by economists – that the party would save £225 billion over five years by scrapping all related projects if it wins the next election.

Newly-elected MP Sarah Pochin, sat alongside Farage at his press conference this week, said: “We have calculated that if we scrap these net zero white elephant projects, that the Conservatives were just as committed to as this Labour government, that over five years we can save £225 billion.” (Economists have pointed out that the bulk of these projects are funded by private investment.)

Also sat alongside Farage was Luke Campbell, newly elected mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, who has previously spoken out against net zero. The former boxer told the Yorkshire Post last month that he would “bring back oil and gas and drilling and stuff like that, which then would create more jobs or if not just the same”, adding that net zero was “a lot more hype”.

And how does he feel now he’s actually in office and inheriting his authority’s bid to host a £1.6 million project installing rooftop solar panels and battery storage units at local authority buildings across the area, adopting new car ports and extending a solar farm at a council-owned holiday park?

“I have consistently supported the region in green energy business and for creating jobs, and I will keep on that track,” Campbell told his first executive board meeting of the combined authority as mayor this week.

“I was brought into this by the people of the region, and I will represent them. If I can create local jobs and help local businesses that is what I will do. I have been very vocal in stating that I represent this region, and I put it first ahead of party politics. I will always put this first over anything.”

Like Groucho Marx, Reform has principles, and if you don’t like them… well, they have others!