Tory MPs flock to Conservative Environment Network
Half of Conservative backbench MPs are now in the party’s green group, after former minister Jeremy Hunt announced he had joined.
The Conservative Environment Network (Cen) now boasts 133 MPs, leading green-minded Tories to claim that those who do not want net zero are in the minority. There are 360 sitting Conservative MPs, but 95 are government ministers or whips and therefore ineligible to join Cen.
This is in contrast with the Net Zero Scrutiny Group of Conservative politicians, which has 19 publicly named members. Craig Mackinlay MP, who leads the group, told Politico that 58 MPs had signed up, but he did not provide a list.
The Net Zero Scrutiny Group has close ties to the Global Warming Policy Foundation, a group that has been described as climate sceptical.
While backlash to the government’s green plans has been growing at a modest rate, the number of MPs in the Cen is increasing.
Eighteen Tories have joined the Cen since the start of the year, which includes some who were elected in the 2019 general election. Sam Hall, the director of the group, said this proved it was the “biggest and fastest growing Conservative movement in parliament”.
Hunt said: “I am delighted to join the Conservative Environment Network to champion net zero and nature conservation.
“Now more than ever, in light of the global gas crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it’s vital we decarbonise the UK’s economy by 2050. We must develop more homegrown clean energy, including renewables and new nuclear. This will lower people’s bills, strengthen our energy security and avoid the worst consequences of climate change.”
The large size of the group could bode well for green policies in the upcoming energy plan, which some fear could be derailed by those
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