Their manifesto is comprehensive, practical, and perhaps less idealistic or populist than others I’ve reviewed so far.
They say that they are committed to Net Zero by 2050 but are guaranteeing a vote in the next parliament. This could make the UK the first country to abandon the 2050 pledge, perhaps also the first county to be honest that we cannot meet it?
North Sea Oil and Gas continue under their plans, under the energy security banner. The windfall tax will remain until 2028. There will be new gas fired generators to prevent blackouts from intermittent renewables.
More nuclear, some carbon capture, more solar (in the right places), and relaxing the ban on onshore wind are all in their energy mix. At the same time offshore wind will be trebled.
In the home they promise not to force people to rip out boilers for heat pumps, but don’t mention the 2035 ban that would enforce this. On the household bill there is reform of standing charges, lower green levies, maintaining the energy price cap, and promoting smart tariffs. There will be more money for home efficiency through a voucher scheme.
There’s nothing here on engaging the public in the debate.
Very little mention of energy market reform, except a commitment to local markets, which given their projected savings numbers means support for local pricing, which does not have full industry support.
Grid connections are a priority, non-build solutions adopted, and cables will be undergrounded where economically sensible.
There is an element of cognitive dissonance in their thinking – the headlines are tough, almost climate change denying, but the reality is that this could be read as a more realistic version of the Green Party’s policies.
