Rishi Sunak is embroiled in a growing rebellion over his ban on new onshore wind farms, as former Tory chairman Jake Berry became the latest senior MP to announce he would join an effort to overturn lar politics
The former cabinet minister said he would support former equalization secretary Simon Clarke, who has tabled an amendment to the legislation going through parliament to call for the current moratorium on new developments to be lifted.
He joins former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, and Cop26 president Alok Sharma, in calling for the prime minister to step down. Leveling Secretary Michael Gove has spoken out in the past about the need for more onshore wind power, raising the possibility of cabinet splits on the issue.
More than 30 Tories are now believed to support the Clarke amendment to the Leveling and Regeneration Bill, which would allow wind farms in rural areas where there is community consent. Labor has confirmed it supports the amendment, increasing the likelihood Sunak will suffer a damaging defeat.
Gove and Tory party whips are understood to have spent the weekend talking to the rebels, while Downing Street insiders suggested it was “highly unlikely” the Prime Minister would accept Clarke’s amendment amid concern that he would appear weak if forced to back down.
Berry, who was sacked as party chairman by Sunak, said the new prime minister had six months to deliver a “handover” as he was hit by a double Conservative backlash over planning, with MPs threatening to also vote against the housing construction targets.
He told the BBC’s Sunday program with Laura Kuenssberg: “Boris Johnson used to call wind turbines the white satanic windmills of the north of England when they were being built all over my constituency.
“He’s changed his mind about them, I’ve largely changed his mind, and I’ll be supporting Simon Clarke and his amendment because I think if you want to know why we should have more renewables, just look at your amendment. gas or electricity bill”.
Since 2014, planning rules have effectively banned new onshore wind farms in England under a tightening of restrictions imposed by David Cameron’s government after pressure from Tory campaigners.
The push for greater energy independence since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused this to end. Truss had promised to change the rules but was kicked out before he could do so.
Ed Miliband, the shadow climate secretary, said: “Onshore wind is the cheapest and cleanest energy we have. The Conservative ban has kept bills high and damaged our energy security. The weakness by Rishi Sunak means that he has to be dragged to unbail him by his back banks.Now he should swallow his pride and make a U-turn.
“Labour will support Simon Clarke’s amendment, but even that changes the ban to what is still a very restrictive planning regime for onshore wind, risking blocking developments and keeping bills high. Under this government, we are forced to move only at the pace of the slowest conservative.”
Johnson did not try to overturn the effective moratorium on new onshore wind projects during his time as prime minister, but has since changed his mind. Mr Sharma said he supported letting “local communities decide”, backing residents to get lower energy bills in exchange for their support for new developments.
The dispute over onshore wind farms is the bill’s second major challenge. Last week, No 10 pulled a scheduled vote after a rebellion over planning policy. However, despite fears it had been thrown into the long grass, government aides said MPs would have the chance to vote on the legislation before Christmas.
Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by third parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Ministers will today confirm a new £18m public advice campaign, which Truss blocked on “ideological grounds”, to help millions of people cut their energy costs this winter.
This includes advice on measures such as reducing the boiler outlet temperature, turning off radiators in empty rooms and reducing heat loss by using draft-proof windows and doors.
Business Secretary Grant Shapps will also set out details of the new £1bn Eco+ scheme, which will support households with the cost of home insulation to save an average of £310 a year on bills.
The plan will extend support to homes with less energy efficiency in the lowest municipal tax brackets, as well as targeting the most vulnerable.
Mr Shapps said: “The government put in place immediate help to support households following the rise in global energy prices caused by Mr Putin’s illegal march into Ukraine.
“Today, we are putting in place the first of many measures to ensure that the British public are never put in this position again as we work towards an energy independent future.”
However, Labour’s Ed Miliband said the Eco+ plan was “too little, too late” and would only help a tiny fraction of the millions of people struggling with energy bills this winter.