conservative front bench view
Call for initiatives to
smooth transition to the
low carbon economy
We interviewed Shadow Climate Change Minister Greg Barker MP
to discover how a future Conservative Government would resolve
outstanding issues on renewables and climate change
It is a good start to a political debate when the two main parties at Westminster can
agree on fundamentals. When the subject is the UK’s climate change and renewable
energy policy, that bi-partisan approach is essential rather than merely helpful. There
was certainly agreement in principle when Gordon Brown created the Department
of Energy and Climate Change in his October 2008 reshuffle: the Conservatives
went on record to welcome the creation of a single ministry that could, in theory
at least, develop consistent policy around these two interrelated themes.
Consensus over the establishment of DECC is
about as far as Conservative support appears
Increasing confusion over measures
to run, however. Turning his attention specifically to the en-
Greg Barker MP, the Opposition front bench ergy and climate change measures currently
spokesman on climate change, identified a being formulated, Mr Barker accepts that many
fundamental problem which he claims that of the announcements emanating from White-
DECC is not capable of resolving. “There have hall Place have increased confusion rather
been far too many disparate initiatives and than raised the quality of information.
policies which have been well meaning but “Unfortunately, a blizzard of minor but often
too ambitious. complex new regulations tends to distract
“They were born out of Labour’s constant from the fact that the government has failed to
obsession with re-announcing schemes and set in place any major initiatives towards a
initiatives rather than getting down to the re- low carbon model.”
ally hard work of transforming our economy. Mr Barker raised the question of carbon
“This is consistent with the Government’s capture and storage. “Even the belated con-
approach right across the board. Labour has a version to a CCS policy announced in the
propensity to mistake press releases for action, budget that is much more like out own ambi-
and announcements for progress on the ground. tious vision is woefully lacking in detail and
What we really need is fewer announcements clarity.”
and more real decision-making: what we have Contentious issues like CCS apart, the Con-
had is endless consultation and little tangible servative front bench team is calling for more
progress out in the real economy.” fundamental initiatives to ensure a smooth
10
The Informed Executive
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