Flip-flopping Tories in chaos as they change car ban plan five times in 24 hours

25 July 2023 , 08:48

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Rishi Sunak declined to comment on the Tories' 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars (Image: Getty Images)

Michael Gove has insisted the Tories remain committed to a 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars - after Rishi Sunak wobbled over the deadline.

Flip-flopping ministers have offered FIVE different positions on the government's polluting car plans in the last 24 hours. The Prime Minister is weighing up watering down policies designed to tackle the climate emergency amid pressure from some Tories.

Mr Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, warned this morning that proposals to tackle the crisis risk "creating a backlash" if costs are too high. But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We're committed to maintaining our policy of ensuring by 2030 there are no new petrol or diesel cars being sold. "I am sure some people would like to change that policy, I understand. But no, that policy remains".

Asked on Times Radio if the 2030 deadline was "immovable", Mr Gove replied: "Yes."

​Michael Gove said the Government remained committed to the 2030 ban on polluting cars (PA)

Foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell said yesterday he could not "prophesy for the future" when asked about the plan - before saying it remains in place and "will remain in place".

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Hours later, the Prime Minister himself cast doubt on the policy after he failed to recommit to the ban on the sale of new fossil fuel cars by the end of the decade. Mr Sunak was unable to say whether he stuck by the policy as he made a visit to a housing development in Worcestershire. The dithering PM would only say: “We're going to keep making progress towards our net zero ambitions.”

Shortly afterwards, his official spokesman clarified that “the 2030 approach remains our commitment”.

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But in a further U-turn, government sources later briefed that he was “open to reviewing” the timetable.

The muddle comes as some Tories urge the PM to dilute policies, especially after Tories narrowly held on to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip in last week's by-election. Labour's failure to win the former PM Boris Johnson's ex-seat has been attributed to the expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) scheme.

But as heatwaves rage across Europe the Green MP Caroline Lucas accused Mr Sunak of being "asleep at the wheel" while the "planet is burning".

Mr Gove also suggested on Tuesday that the Government will review its plan for new homes to be fitted with heat pumps by 2025. He told the BBC the Government was "looking at how to mitigate the costs" on individuals, saying some households will be given a "greater degree of breathing space".

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Ashley Cowburn