COP26 BLAME GAME BEGINS
...10 days before summit even starts, amid fears it’ll flop
FEARS are growing that Cop26 could be a flop, with a blame game erupting in Westminster and Scotland potentially facing ‘embarrassment’ on the global stage amid damaging strikes.
The leaders of some major polluting countries will be absent, sparking concerns among UK Cabinet ministers that the climate summit in Glasgow could fail to deliver.
It has been claimed that Cop26 president Alok Sharma is angry at Boris Johnson for ‘ramping up’ hopes of a climate policy breakthrough at the gathering.
It comes amid mounting tensions between officials in Whitehall and Scotland over threatened strike action by railway workers and refuse collectors, which could leave Glasgow with filthy streets and gridlocked roads during the summit.
Yesterday it was reported that the lowering of expectations for Cop26, and who would be to blame if it flops, has led to anger among some senior figures.
In September, Mr Johnson said the conference ‘simply must succeed’, but this week, he conceded it would be ‘extremely tough’.
One Cabinet minister said: ‘Nobody has pitched properly that this is not going to be some big hand of history moment where a new deal is done, so it’s going to feel like a damp squib.
‘Alok is raging. It’s got completely out of control.’
But an ally of Mr Sharma denied he was angry at Mr Johnson, saying: ‘He is delighted the PM’s personal drive, enthusiasm and determination is fully behind Cop26.’
It came as tensions mounted over the situation in SNP-run Glasgow.
Speaking only ten days before the summit begins, Communities Secretary Michael Gove said: ‘Glasgow is an amazing city and I want the world to see it at its best.
‘There are trade disputes that are going on. The UK Government exists to help the Scottish Government in every way and we are also there to help Glasgow council.
‘But they have the leadership role here. I am sure everyone recognises how important it is that when the world’s eyes are on Glasgow, people appreciate what a special place it is and we see Glasgow and Scotland at its best.’
Earlier this week, Glasgow refuse workers confirmed they will commence a week-long strike during the summit in a row over pay.
Scottish Tory MP David Mundell, the former Scottish secretary, claimed Glasgow City Council’s approach to the summit had been ‘chaotic and shambolic’.
Last night, RMT regional organiser Mick Hogg vowed that Scotland
could become an ‘embarrassment’ during Cop26 if the rail dispute is not resolved and ‘blame for the industrial carnage will sit with [operators] Abellio, Serco, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government’.
A spokesman for ScotRail said: ‘It is extremely disappointing that the RMT have opted to continue with this highly damaging strike action, particularly when a pay offer – negotiated over several weeks – has been made.’
Graham Simpson, Scottish Tory transport spokesman, said: ‘The eyes of the world will soon be on Glasgow, but the SNP Government are threatening to allow a series of strikes and the filthy state of the host city to overshadow Cop26.’
The GMB union is demanding a ‘significantly’ improved pay offer to call off strike action among refuse workers.
Glasgow City Council said: ‘These are national, rather than local, pay negotiations and it is difficult to understand why this step has been taken while those negotiations remain ongoing.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We have been working very closely with the UK Government and partners, including Glasgow City Council, to deliver a safe, secure and successful Cop26.’
Meanwhile, a scientific adviser to Nicola Sturgeon has warned Scots could face further Covid restrictions in the wake of the summit.
Professor Devi Sridhar tweeted: ‘A mass event (with major movement of people in & out) with an infectious virus will cause an increase in cases. Which in the case of Covid will put stress on limited health services. Which triggers need for further restrictions.’
It also emerged yesterday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the summit.
It follows news that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to Glasgow and fears that China’s leader Xi Jinping will skip the summit.
‘Highly damaging strike action’