The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 was a significant event that had far-reaching implications. During this time, energy prices in the UK were soaring, but then-Prime Minister Liz Truss doubled down on oil and gas exploration instead of encouraging people to reduce their energy usage, diverging from the approach taken by many European countries facing a similar crisis.
The invasion initially appeared to overshadow climate change as a priority, but some believed it could serve as an incentive to transition away from high-carbon fuels. However, the argument for domestic fossil fuel production gained traction quickly, leading to a different narrative around the country’s energy needs.
Ironically, the UK was facing a dwindling supply of oil and gas, making the strategy of promoting oil and gas licenses in the North Sea unsustainable in the long run. Truss’s successor, Rishi Sunak, further weakened key climate policies by pushing back the 2030 deadline for banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in a speech.
Although Sunak emphasized accelerating green investment in his speech, the decision to delay the transition to electric vehicles had a noticeable impact on the market, with electric vehicle sales plateauing since then. The government’s focus on appealing to motorists as a key campaigning strategy was evident in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, where the Conservative candidate’s opposition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone was credited for their narrow victory.
The Labour Party also attributed their loss in the by-election to the environmental policy issue, further highlighting the influence of environmental concerns in politics. While multiple factors play a role in election outcomes, the emphasis on environmental policies in recent political discourse is undeniable.
