Lord Craig Mackinlay has launched a scathing attack on UK energy policy, calling for a radical shift towards cheaper domestic energy production and labelling the current net zero strategy as “the stuff of yesteryear”.
Speaking to GB News, the Conservative peer argued that Britain’s energy policies are “truly mad”, and called for a focus on domestic gas production through fracking.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Brussels today for fresh talks with the bloc, with the British premier hoping to reset ties five years on from Brexit.
Amid fears of the UK aligning with the EU on net zero policy, Mackinlay told GB News that the UK should prioritise affordable energy for consumers and the economy, describing net zero policies spearheaded by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as a “Monty Python, dead parrot” that the country should move on from.
Craig Mackinlay has urged Ed Miliband to ‘move on’ from the UK’s net zero targets
GB News / PA
Mackinlay also advocated for a “drill, baby, drill” approach, criticising the current reliance on gas imports from countries like Qatar and the USA.
Mackinlay specifically targeted the UK’s emissions trading scheme, highlighting how it drives up costs for consumers.
“Every pound that is paid in a trade cost of these type of schemes cost money, costs you and I money,” he told GB News.
He expressed concern about potential plans to rejoin EU schemes, stating: “It seems to me that our PM wants to sign up to something in which we don’t even have a voice at all.”
Keir Starmer arrived in Brussels today to attend an EU Summit, and met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Reuters
Mackinlay also pointed out policy inconsistencies, noting that while the UK plans to ban new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, the EU has set a later deadline of 2035.
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“I work very hard with the Government pleading within my Government to stop that concrete cap going on,” he told GB News, noting that the cap has now been rescinded.
He expressed frustration that millions of pounds would be spent plugging potential sources of UK gas. The peer criticised the resulting increased dependence on foreign gas imports, particularly from Qatar and the USA.
“The way we’re going, we’ll run out of football clubs for Qatar to buy,” he remarked, highlighting his concerns about growing reliance on Middle Eastern energy supplies.
Mackinlay concluded his remarks by emphasising the economic benefits of affordable energy supplies.
Mackinlay told GB News that the UK should ‘follow the footsteps of Donald Trump’ when it comes to energy policy
GB News
“It’s rather good for your economy to have low priced energy,” he told GB News.
He stressed that lower energy prices would particularly benefit consumers struggling with costs.
“It’s rather good for consumers that are feeling the pinch to have low priced energy. It’s perfectly possible,” he said.
The peer suggested Britain should follow former US President Trump’s approach to energy policy. “Where Trump is going, I’m hoping we may follow,” Mackinlay said, indicating his support for prioritising low-cost energy over environmental targets.