FORMER UK Energy Minister RESIGNS: Climate Policy U-Turn Sparks Outrage
— Chris Skidmore, the former energy minister of Britain, has declared his resignation from the Conservative Party and his position as a lawmaker. He attributes this decision to the government’s sudden shift away from its environmental commitments.
Skidmore expressed strong disapproval for an impending bill that would sanction new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Describing the U.K.“s deviation from its climate objectives as ”a tragedy', he asserted he could not endorse a bill that encourages new oil and gas production.
Having authored a government-commissioned review detailing how Britain could attain net zero carbon emissions by 2050 while fostering green jobs, Skidmore voiced frustration with the current administration’s decisions. He reproached Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for diluting green objectives due to 'unacceptable costs’ burdening ordinary citizens.
Sunak has postponed a prohibition on selling new gas and diesel cars, abolished an energy-efficiency regulation, and authorized hundreds of fresh North Sea oil and gas licenses. Skidmore intends to formally resign when Parliament resumes next week following its Christmas recess.