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Tomorrow @BorisJohnson will set out his 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution. Here are my thoughts on what the plan is trying to achieve politically, how it fits within the Conservatives' strategy, and how it will be aimed squarely at voters in the blue wall. 1/11
Delivering net zero isn’t just about honouring the intergenerational contract - the preeminent conservative cause - it’s a job creation opportunity that will predominantly benefit post-industrial towns & cities in the North of England & Midlands. 2/11
I expect tomorrow’s plan will create jobs in home retrofit, energy networks, & nature across the country, but the benefits will be particularly felt by those working in renewables in the NE, nuclear in the NW, hydrogen in Tees Valley, & so on. This is levelling up in action. 3/11
As well as jobs, net zero policies will deliver other tangible benefits to people’s lives now: better quality, warmer homes; fewer pressures on the NHS; more green spaces; cheaper driving costs; & better bus and rail links. Again there's lots of overlap with levelling up. 4/11
Yes this will require upfront investment, some of it from taxpayers, much of it from the private sector. But innovation & economies of scale are bringing costs down all the time, and many clean technologies e.g. wind power are now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives. 5/11
Around the world countries are now moving decisively to decarbonise their economies. In the last few months the EU, China, Japan, & South Korea have committed to net zero, the US is soon to follow, & they are investing to create millions of jobs in clean industries. 6/11
The UK led the first industrial revolution. Unless we accelerate climate action, we will fall behind in the green industrial revolution & miss out on those jobs. We won’t develop all the net zero industries here, but we have strengths & could be world leaders in some. 7/11
COP26 is another major driver. The plan gives the UK a chance to build up relations with the incoming Biden administration, bolster climate diplomacy efforts by demonstrating domestic leadership, & champion this important post-Brexit global role. 8/11
Climate action doesn't belong to any one Conservative faction. Some of the Conservative Party's biggest climate champions have come from the right. Margaret Thatcher spoke at the UN about climate change. Michael Howard signed the UK’s first international climate treaty. 9/11
Net zero enjoys popular support in poll after poll, across different regions & political party affiliation. But the way we talk about it & the policies we choose to deliver it are all important for maintaining this consensus, especially as we get nearer to 2050. 10/11
In my view, net zero policy needs a relentless focus on creating green jobs, improving communities, & using government support to keep down costs for consumers. That’s the approach that brings everyone with us, & I hope tomorrow’s plan will centre on these themes. 11/11