Tory job preservation u turns

[tescorank]

Now I know Gove is as “mad as a box of” and all that, but surely you can’t get a bigger U turn than this or was it an evening on the powder?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/07/22/mi...

Starts with:

Michael Gove has warned against treating the environment as a “religious crusade” as he called for a relaxation of some net zero measures.

In an interview with The Telegraph, the Levelling Up and Housing Secretary cited Dutch protests over emissions regulations, saying that the “inflexible” application of rules designed to reduce pollution “leads to a backlash”.

In his own department, Mr Gove admits the Government is “asking too much too quickly” of landlords. They will currently be banned from renting out their homes unless they pay for green measures, such as insulation and heat pumps, to meet a new minimum energy efficiency threshold by 2028.

Citing existing financial pressures on landlords, he added: “I think we should relax the pace.”

He also warned that Natural England, the environment quango, must “pause” a push to block new housing near more than 330 designated areas across the country unless councillors agree to introduce green schemes such as ultra-low emission zones (Ulez) and low-traffic neighbourhoods

Edited by tescorank on Sunday 23 July 05:24

[Ian Geary]

Reality > hope.


Go onto the climate change - political thread, and it will be obvious that there's been no real political discourse about the impact of these green measures on people's way of life or pockets.


Yes, they seem fluffy when a long way off, and the Greta fans and perma- protestors can feel comforted that capitalism is being brought down. The political classes can feel reassured "something is being done" whilst the majority - who are busy actually working- don't really notice.


Until they do start to notice. At which point it could all turn a bit Netherlands-ish. (Though in the UK we might just "tut" a bit, and say something like "this really isn't on")


Ultimately, Gove is a politician, and not a fool. How on earth is a political system run on 5 year popularity contests ever going to impose painful policies that have decade or century long time spans?

It's a trick question - it can't.


Also, maybe this "go slow" is Gove realising he doesn't want to be held to account over no delivery of something that is impossible to deliver?

[JagLover]

He is just realising he has become one of the faces of "net zero" for many disillusioned Tory voters and doesn't want to be jettisoned in a reshuffle.

Personally I think he sold out and whatever political convictions he once had were sold long ago.

[turbobloke]

Ian Geary said:

Reality > hope.


Go onto the climate change - political thread, and it will be obvious that there's been no real political discourse about the impact of these green measures on people's way of life or pockets.

Not recently, but yes not that long ago; due to the way the thread developed yesterday there was discussion on the JSO / Protesters thread.

Policy change is years away, partly due to pressure on politicians who fear the climate inquisition and likely impact on their popularity, and also because - as a result - no Party likely to win a majority is available to change things. Gove, well yes, it's Gove.

[Jockman]

I think we are basically seeing how Green Policies shape up against a Cost of Living Crisis, as witnessed in the recent by-election.

As Politicians chase votes, several of these newer Policies will be delayed or diluted whilst the more established ones (eg recycling) remain constant.

[Grumps.]

Some great ideas to help reduce the urban sprawl that is currently happening, potentially ruining areas of countryside.

Also watched Clarksons Farm and learnt that any farm building over 100 years old and is derelict, can be repurposed to whatever you want, providing planning authorities are notified, and with that they can do absolutely nothing about it, or something like that?

[glazbagun]

JagLover said:

He is just realising he has become one of the faces of "net zero" for many disillusioned Tory voters and doesn't want to be jettisoned in a reshuffle.

Personally I think he sold out and whatever political convictions he once had were sold long ago.

This. The idea that Gove cares about anything but himself is laughable. He has some soundbites that will resonate with a demographic and is trying them out.