Tory MPs demand referendum on Net Zero by 2050 in order to have ‘proper debate’

Nigel Farage discusses UK’s Net Zero targets

Tory MPs have begun demanding a referendum on Britain’s Net Zero target, following concerns it will hit the quality of people’s lifestyles during a cost of living crisis.

Following a move by Rishi Sunak to make issues like ULEZ an election dividing line with Labour, some Red Wall MPs have urged the PM to go a step further and offer voters the chance to junk Net Zero entirely.

Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North, has said: “Given the complexity of this issue and its far-reaching consequences, I believe that involving the public through a referendum is right.

“A proper debate has never been had, and it should be. A referendum would require the Government to communicate the intricacies of the 2050 Net Zero target to the public, fostering a better understanding of the challenges and benefits.”

Theresa May rushed the legislation for Net Zero by 2050 through in the final days of her premiership, with little debate about how it would be achieved and funded.

READ MORE: Sunak needs policy rethink warns Rees-Mogg with Tories on verge of civil war

Mr Longhi’s fellow Red Wall MP in Lincoln, Karl McCartney, told the Telegraph the Tories should “rethink the headlong rush for Net Zero”.

He said: “The establishment was solely focused on chasing approval from London’s woke eco-zealot crowd who have no clue what happens in the real world.

“Just like Brexit, the Government needs to make sure the public are on board with such radical changes, and that they hear the arguments and can make an informed decision.”

A third MP, Greg Smith, said: “If there is a groundswell of support for a referendum, then let’s do it.”

The Tory Party is split on Net Zero, however, with other MPs warning that backtracking on the commitment will lose votes.

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Sir Robert Buckland, former Justice Secretary, said: “It’s really important the prime minister sticks to the legally binding commitments on net zero.

“Of course, energy security has to be an important consideration but we shouldn’t be seeking to water down any commitment that we have already made.”

Yesterday afternoon, Tory MP for North Devon Selaine Saxby urged Rishi Sunak to “stick with the promises” over Net Zero.

She said: “I do very much hope that we will stick with the promises that we made and the commitments that we’ve made to deliver on our net zero promises and targets.”

Tory MPs with fewer concerns about the environment than other parliamentary colleagues have been buoyed since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister.

In June, Zac Goldsmith resigned as an environment minister, saying Mr Sunak was “uninterested” in the climate agenda.

He added that the Government’s efforts on environmental issues had “simply ground to a standstill”.

He said: “When I compare what I and my amazing team were able to do before the current PM took office with the slow progress today, it seems to me I can no longer justify being in government.”

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