In a shocking turn of events, a former energy minister and Conservative MP, Chris Skidmore, has decided to resign over new legislation that he believes promotes the production of new oil and gas. This decision comes as a surprise as Skidmore had previously announced his intention to stand down at the next general election. However, he has now chosen to bring forward his resignation, which will trigger a by-election in the Kingswood constituency in Gloucestershire. With changes in constituency boundaries, the new MP could have a short-lived political career, but Skidmore is determined to take a stand against what he perceives as a threat to the environment.
Criticism of the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
At the heart of Skidmore’s resignation is the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill, which allows oil and gas companies to bid for new licenses to drill for fossil fuels every year. The government argues that this is necessary for domestic energy production, but environmental groups have strongly criticized the bill. Skidmore, who has been vocal about his party’s green record in the past, believes that voting in favor of this legislation will have severe consequences in the future. He warns his fellow MPs that they will be judged harshly by history for prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainability.
Skidmore emphasizes the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action. He argues that instead of promoting the future production of fossil fuels, we should be committing to more climate action. Skidmore perceives the production of new fossil fuels as the ultimate cause of the environmental crisis we are currently facing. In his view, continuing to invest in and extract these resources is nothing short of a tragedy. He laments the loss of the UK’s climate leadership and points out the tremendous effort made by businesses, industries, universities, and civil society organizations around the world to inspire positive change.
A Resignation and Transition
To demonstrate his strong disagreement with the proposed legislation, Skidmore has decided to resign from the Conservative Party and become an independent MP. He plans to step down from his position “as soon as possible” once Parliament reconvenes. This decision marks the end of a decade-long political career for Skidmore, who has been a leading voice on climate issues within the Tory party. As the energy minister under Boris Johnson, he spearheaded the government’s review into achieving Net Zero.
Skidmore’s departure from the Conservative Party and his forceful opposition to the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill present a challenge to his fellow MPs. He believes that the climate crisis is far too important to be politicized or ignored. Skidmore calls upon his colleagues to prioritize the long-term well-being of the planet over short-sighted gains. Whether his resignation will lead to a reconsideration of the controversial legislation remains to be seen. In the meantime, the Kingswood constituency in Gloucestershire will soon see a by-election, and Skidmore’s passionate stand against detrimental environmental policies serves as a reminder that there is much at stake in the political decisions we make.