en-us https://www.conservativehome.com All comments from http://www.conservativehome.com/ wozearlyhttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097787196Happy to assure you I'm not an architect of Net Zero. ;) I don't know the full details of the proposals, but my understanding is that you're right - strategically, this appears to be a sensible move and, although counterintuitive at a glance, has a valid and hopefully valuable role in what Net Zero is aiming at achieving. In terms of Net Zero itself, I'm empathetic to what is trying to be achieved. And there's not really any 'perfect' way to go about it; similar to nuclear deproliferation, going alone domestically isn't enough (and going unilaterally carries additional problems), but it's far easier to ensure domestic action is taken than international action. I don't write off carbon sustainability as virtue signalling, although it does undoubtedly attract some virtue signallers. On any given issue, I find it distasteful to see people of any political stripe try to throw out overwhelming scientific concensus on the basis of it being inconvenient to them personally or politically. On Net Zero itself as a policy, it's riddled with problems and challenges, but some of those do need addressing at some stage on a domestic level either way. The irony of what seems to have happened here is that in the absence of a clearer overall strategy, and the ability to communicate Copeland mine's role as part of it, the Green/XR side of the fence has (somewhat understandably) risen up angrily at the proposals. Some perhaps because they haven't seen the bigger picture, some perhaps because the symbolism of opening a coal mine while pushing for overall emissions reductions was just too easy a target, leaving their opponents to make the counterintuitive case that it's actually a good idea. The government has indicated there will be a clearer strategy on Net Zero coming out in the works. In the meantime, it's a shame that it's had to fall to local level politicians to explain and champion the case rather than national level ones. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 23:46:58 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097787196 petercrowxhttps://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/thirteen-tory-mps-pressed-for-faster-lockdown-easing-during-johnsons-statement-yesterday-and-35-did-not.html#IDComment1097786357Incredible! There was a time when the Conservative party could be depended upon to defend freedom and not act like there was a magic money tree to pay for state spending. Now that the Conservatives have stolen the clothes of Labour and the Green Party, let's go for a one party system and leave decision-making to committees of expert scientists. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 22:52:27 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/thirteen-tory-mps-pressed-for-faster-lockdown-easing-during-johnsons-statement-yesterday-and-35-did-not.html#IDComment1097786357 livepeanutshttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/andy-maciver-scotland-dont-run-away-from-a-referendum-instead-embrace-it-offer-a-new-union-and-win.html#IDComment1097785772I agree that there is a lot going for the Union and that the Marxist devolution was a mistake. The Marxists have done incalculable damage to our Nation and Empire with the aim to destroy them. Both are nearly gone. I hope the desired outcome of the original solution which evolved over time is chosen, however my worry is that when there is a nationalist fascist government like this one it is a very risky strategy. So far the Courts say that Boris can say no. These are demagogic people fanning the flames of nationalism, very hard to oppose without being really fired up and their job is easy because those opposing participating in th election are split, that is why it is so dangerous to have a referendum. Perhaps if it coms to the referendum we should have a previous negotiation as to what is going to happen if Scotland leaves, what currency, what will happen to the jobs Gordon sent up North with the English ship building and defence, in this way the Scots would know what they are voting for. Also the Islands should be given self determination. I hope it doesn't come to a referendum at this time, let the nationalists fail first, and not give them extra funds. Let them stew first in their own rhetoric. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 22:16:09 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/andy-maciver-scotland-dont-run-away-from-a-referendum-instead-embrace-it-offer-a-new-union-and-win.html#IDComment1097785772 David_Cooperhttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/sarah-ingham-corbyn-and-his-gang-could-scarcely-have-handled-coronavirus-worse-than-johnson.html#IDComment1097785564Well said. If the last eleven months' worth of economic destruction and suppression of quality of life had been inflicted upon the UK by a Labour government of whatever shade of red, the voice of the centre-right - from everywhere to the Opposition benches in the Commons to the ConHome threads - would have been heard long and hard in expressing its dismay. And the point of reckoning may not need to await the public inquiry. It may come in the forthcoming round of elections, especially if Farage and Fox come up with a united front. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 22:02:27 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/sarah-ingham-corbyn-and-his-gang-could-scarcely-have-handled-coronavirus-worse-than-johnson.html#IDComment1097785564 Catperson107https://www.conservativehome.com/thinktankcentral/2021/02/jethro-elsden-failing-to-extend-the-stamp-duty-holiday-would-be-a-big-mistake.html#IDComment1097785402As soon as the stamp duty cut was announced the sale price of houses increased. Apart from a marginal effect in relation to affordability of the deposit and tax for first time buyers all it did was to transfer income for the Treasuary, and hence taxpayers, to sellers. Another example of a poorly thought out policy response to Covid that meant the better-off existing house-owning sellers benefitted compared to first-time buyers and those who rent their house. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:51:33 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/thinktankcentral/2021/02/jethro-elsden-failing-to-extend-the-stamp-duty-holiday-would-be-a-big-mistake.html#IDComment1097785402 tony1825https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097785160If the Greens and XR make it so difficult for the company to open the mine to the point where they give up, the governent will be quietly satisfied, as the problem will have been solved for them. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:37:37 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097785160 Shaun_Bennett81https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/parliament-should-vote-each-month-from-march-on-ending-the-lockdown.html#IDComment1097784830Well I would hope that the lockdown isn't in place too long after March to require 'monthly' votes on it. It should be weekly votes on it!!! Tue, 23 Feb 2021 21:19:24 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/parliament-should-vote-each-month-from-march-on-ending-the-lockdown.html#IDComment1097784830 ClimateSolyenthttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097784416+1,000,000 The Greens are extremists. Still no evidence showing an increase from 0.00003 to 0.00004 of CO2 per M3 gives an increase in 1+ degrees. Of course if it DID then we would be using pure CO2 to cut steel. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:54:02 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097784416 Grandpa_Petehttps://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/tackling-unemployment-might-finally-show-us-what-sort-of-conservative-the-prime-minister-really-is.html#IDComment1097784371The news yesterday was that half of all companies in the UK are expecting to recruit new staff in the next couple of months so best let them do what business does best rather the government go into competition with them for staff. Once that has settled down and any zombie companies have been laid to rest after the furlough scheme ends then the government can invest in the future infrastructure etc. and see what the economy needs. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:51:44 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/tackling-unemployment-might-finally-show-us-what-sort-of-conservative-the-prime-minister-really-is.html#IDComment1097784371 ClimateSolyenthttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097784367Yes. Arthur Scargill wanted a Communist coup. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:50:59 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097784367 petercrowxhttps://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/tackling-unemployment-might-finally-show-us-what-sort-of-conservative-the-prime-minister-really-is.html#IDComment1097784089Closing pubs, locking them in their homes, stopping their kids being schooled, taking foreign travel away from them, taxing them to pay for the fallout of the biggest recession in 300 years, charging them too much to pay for green energy, on top of lying to them about Covid deaths may be damaging electorally too? Tue, 23 Feb 2021 20:34:53 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2021/02/tackling-unemployment-might-finally-show-us-what-sort-of-conservative-the-prime-minister-really-is.html#IDComment1097784089 Peter_Bexleyhttps://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/link-to-the-governments-roadmap-out-of-lockdown.html#IDComment1097783072The experts do not make political decisions, they simply deliver expert opinion to decision makers based upon the best available evidence. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:38:28 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/link-to-the-governments-roadmap-out-of-lockdown.html#IDComment1097783072 Henry_Savilehttps://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/thirteen-tory-mps-pressed-for-faster-lockdown-easing-during-johnsons-statement-yesterday-and-35-did-not.html#IDComment1097782896How many MPs have airports in their constituencies or have large proportions of their constituents employed either in airports or by businesses which support air travel? A cursory glance tells me that many whose constituencies are affected are absent from the list above. Maybe their constituents should start asking why? Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:28:20 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/thirteen-tory-mps-pressed-for-faster-lockdown-easing-during-johnsons-statement-yesterday-and-35-did-not.html#IDComment1097782896 Peter_Bexleyhttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782816The crucial factor is the absence of the unions. The mine closures in the 1980s were pursued for political reasons. The Prime Minister at the time was crystal clear about this fact. The aim was to break the backs of the unions; this aim was achieved, thankfully. Our current support for the new mine in Copeland places us in a win/win situation. If the mine opens we can be seen to deliver our 'leveling up' agenda; we will be supporting workers and the working class in the North. We will position the Conservatives as the Party of working people. If the mine is refused Labour will be seen as class tråìtors. They will leave themselves wide open to accusation of representing the metropolitan elite and not the interests of working people. The new mine is political gold for us regardless of the outcome. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:25:59 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782816 Henry_Savilehttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782791How long before the Prime Minister's fiancée decides the proposed coal mine should not open? Whilst we have unelected advisers drawn, from a narrow-minded metropolitan section of society, determining policy we will always be at the mercy of the latest fashionable nonsense. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:23:36 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782791 itdoesntadduphttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782363Your reply illustrates the utter folly of a domestic net zero policy nicely: not your fault, of course (at least I hope you bear no responsibility for it). The point is that the mine will result in lower emissions globally than otherwise would be the case. Those who are serious about lowering emissions should grab such opportunities with both hands, and not hide behind rules established by virtue signalling politicians pursuing impossible agendas. The economic factors include a useful benefit to the UK blance of payments - surely essential given the amount of damage it will incur through offhsoring caused by the economy being made uncompetitive in pursuit of the inedible net zero. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 19:03:35 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782363 OrwellAheadhttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/jonathan-werran-the-union-and-the-english-question-the-answer-is-to-let-a-hundred-localist-flowers-bloom.html#IDComment1097782239For the English, the need is for "levelling up" at a locality level, based on real towns, conurbations & cities, or rural areas with commonality. Devolution or decentralization is NOT empowerment when it only serves to ascend and inflate existing local inequalities. It is NOT empowerment when it only serves to magnify existing and unfair imbalances of authority, representation and power. Former county-boroughs like my home town of Ipswich have been Suffolkated since 1974, completely overpowered by rural Suffolk county and districts councillors. It is time to restore power and authority to our true localities! The West Lothian question is less likely to be solved, and more likely to dissolve (less relevant). I believe the English are less uptight about it than they were Brexit. The English regaining lost powers ascended to Brussels was a far bigger fish than rebalancing lost powers devolved to Scotland, Wales and NI. The issue of Scottish independence is actually one for Scottish unionists, not English unionists, to fight and win. The more Westminster or the English interfere the more fuel to fire of the Scottish nationalism. We English know that the Scots are better off with us, but the Scots must discover this and fight for it themselves. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:56:21 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/jonathan-werran-the-union-and-the-english-question-the-answer-is-to-let-a-hundred-localist-flowers-bloom.html#IDComment1097782239 wozearlyhttps://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782132Not disagreeing with you that it's primarily the owners' risk, but as the owners are not (currently) on the hook for any trade-off activity needed to offset carbon emissions under Net Zero, the opening of the mine potentially generates a cost for government to take action - hence their interest in the economics, level of output and to what extent this was shoring up supply in the UK versus elsewhere (answer: not much, although in practice we do buy in steel from Europe so it's not entirely straightforward). And the footnote that planning permission only extends to 2049. Sorry if pointing out that economic factors were raised offended you in some way, as I'm not sure why else you felt the need to paint me as a virtue signalling lunatic with no understanding of materials science. Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:50:22 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2021/02/chris-whiteside-why-britains-first-new-coal-mine-for-decades-should-open-in-the-ward-i-represent.html#IDComment1097782132 davidengleharthttps://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/link-to-the-governments-roadmap-out-of-lockdown.html#IDComment1097781631it is the experts i worry about more than Boris. at least Boris will have to answer to the public one day whereas the experts have to answer to no one Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:28:27 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/link-to-the-governments-roadmap-out-of-lockdown.html#IDComment1097781631 davidengleharthttps://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/thirteen-tory-mps-pressed-for-faster-lockdown-easing-during-johnsons-statement-yesterday-and-35-did-not.html#IDComment1097781568precisely. that has been the problem from the start Tue, 23 Feb 2021 18:26:02 +0000https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2021/02/thirteen-tory-mps-pressed-for-faster-lockdown-easing-during-johnsons-statement-yesterday-and-35-did-not.html#IDComment1097781568