Climate role in Britain's July 4 election a test for U.S.
Climate role in Britain's July 4 election a test for U.S.
Welcome to Callaway Climate Insights. The general election in the UK in six weeks will test the enthusiasm for voters for climate innovation over energy security.
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Neither British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak nor Labour Party challenger and front-runner Keir Starmer are in line for any climate-fighter awards. Both talk a good game about Britain’s potential to lead the European climate battle while either cutting funding for existing clean energy projects or slashing forecasts for future campaigns.
The snap general election set for July 4 — a date sure to trigger an Internet meme bonanza — will instead be fought on energy security issues. Who can promise to keep energy bills the lowest in a world of rising heat, pounding rain, inflation, and a menacing Russia on the oil and natural gas front.
But the British public’s appetite for climate attention from its leaders is at an all-time high, and neither of the candidates can afford to ignore it. Expect a lot of talk about past success or future investment in wind, solar, and EVs, with absolutely no promises or concrete plans whatsoever.
Starmer, with a 30-point lead in the polls and set to lead in a Labour government for the first time in 14 years, in particular has an opportunity to distance himself from Sunak over climate by pushing for more clean energy investment. But he recently backtracked on a £28 billion ($36 billion) green investment program pledge by Labour in what was described as the biggest U-turn since he’s led the party. At a time of inflation and tight finances, no candidate is going to promise new spending.
For President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the reaction of British voters could well dictate how they position their campaigns in the final months before the U.S. election in November. Trump’s recent dalliance with oil executives, which at least one pundit compared to the infamous Teapot Dome scandal of the Warren G. Harding administration 100 years ago, is further defining the climate dividing line right down the middle of American culture wars. And Biden’s free spending on climate initiatives may be scaled back if the British vote shows concern.
With the Brits going first, there will be lots of lessons to draw from the six-week election sprint starting this week. Unfortunately, despite what’s at stake, there won’t be much in it for British voters on climate no matter who wins on American Independence Day.
Don’t forget to contact me directly if you have suggestions or ideas at dcallaway@callawayclimateinsights.com.
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