Now Tories in ‘green’ power grab to protect the Union
TRUE blue Tories are set to execute a ‘green’ power grab in a bid to protect the Union.
The Conservative Environment Network (CEN), championed by Britain’s highest profile Tories, including Ruth Davidson, head of Cop26 Sir Alok Sharma, former leader Sir Michael Howard and Matt Hancock, has launched a caucus north of the Border in an attempt to claw votes away from the proindependence Greens and SNP.
Almost a dozen Conservative MSPs have signed up for the Holyrood group, which hopes to encourage ‘conservative environmentalism’ and hold the Scottish Government to account over its green policies.
SNP Ministers have been at the centre of a backlash recently over their shambolic bottle recycling scheme and a block on nuclear power. Now, a poll shows that if the UK Conservative Government adopts ambitious environmental policies, a number of Yes voters would swing towards voting to stay in the UK – and shore up the Union.
The survey, commissioned by CEN, found that 45 per cent of Scottish voters would be more likely to back the Union in a future referendum if manifestos moved to include radical green policies.
It would also make more than a third of Scottish voters – 36 per cent – who were considering voting for independence more likely to change their mind, with 57 per cent saying they will be more likely to vote to remain. Some 33 per cent of undecided voters also said they would be more likely to back the Union.
In comparison, Scottish voters said they would be less likely to vote to remain in the Union if the UK Government scaled back environmental targets.
Last night, the CEN said green policies to save the planet were vital in protecting the United Kingdom. Director Sam Hall said: ‘Pursuing ambitious environmental policies at a UK level can strengthen support for the Union.
‘But if the UK Government were to scale back its climate targets, it would risk pushing Scottish voters toward nationalism which would break up our country.
‘When it comes to fighting climate change, we’re stronger together. As part of the UK, Scotland stands to gain tens of thousands of skilled jobs in the offshore wind sector, carbon capture and clean hydrogen. By championing ambitious policies to achieve net zero, the UK Conservative Government can defend the Union and maximise economic benefits.’
New Scottish CEN member Liam Kerr, who is the Tory spokesman for net zero, energy and transport at Holyrood, said: ‘Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us, so it is little wonder that Scottish voters want to see strong action from both governments.
‘The UK Government is committed to a huge expansion in clean energy. In comparison, the Scottish Government has botched its deposit return scheme, blocked nuclear power and discouraged green investment. It’s no surprise some Yes voters are thinking again given the nationalists’ shocking record on the environment.’
The newly released poll shows 35 per cent of Scots voters put climate change and the environment among the top four issues that will determine how they vote, behind the cost of living crisis, the NHS and the economy.
‘Stronger together in fighting climate change’