Rishi Sunak bows to Tory backlash, reverses green policies

Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, has announced that he will be making changes to policies aimed at addressing climate change, despite facing criticism from senior members of his party.

During an impromptu press conference on Wednesday, Sunak stated that the current plans impose costs that are deemed "unacceptable" to the public.

The previously announced ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, scheduled to begin in 2030, will now be postponed until 2035.

Additionally, the transition from gas boilers to heat pumps in homes, which was set to become mandatory, will also be delayed until 2035.

Sunak emphasized his commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 but argued for a more "pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic" approach.

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"It is not fair for the government to burden working people with significant costs," stated Sunak. Continuing along this path could risk losing the support of the British public, leading to a backlash against not only specific policies but also the overarching mission itself.

The decision to scale back on green targets has sparked anger among many Conservative Party members, including former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Johnson insisted that businesses require "certainty about our net-zero commitments," noting the importance of maintaining ambition for the country's environmental goals.

Lord Goldsmith, another prominent Tory, criticized Sunak, stating that voters do not want "environmental destruction" and called for a general election as a response.

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Automaker Ford joined in the backlash against Sunak, expressing disappointment over the decision to postpone the ban on new petrol cars.

"Our business relies on three key elements from the UK government: ambition, commitment, and consistency," stated Lisa Brankin, Chief of Ford UK.

The leak of the government's plan to the BBC on Tuesday prompted Sunak to advance the announcement to today.

Sunak initiated a review of the government's green policies after the opposition to the expansion of London's Ulez zone played a role in the Tory victory at the Uxbridge by-election.