Keir Starmer’s green trilemma

Keir Starmer's green trilemma

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE June 05, 2023 View in browser Keir Starmer's green trilemma The Labour leader has three interlocking problems that he needs to resolve before he launches the fourth of his five "missions", on green energy, in the next few weeks. And he needs to have at least a holding line before he speaks to the GMB union conference tomorrow. The union has led opposition to Keir Starmer's declaration that a Labour government would issue no new licences for North Sea oil and gas. Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB, says this is "naive" and would cost jobs.  Hence Labour's attempt to rebrand its Green Prosperity Plan as a plan for jobs. But this has been complicated by Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, retreating from the policy's £28bn-a-year price tag.  Meanwhile, the party remains committed to an implausible six-year timetable to decarbonise the generation of all the UK's electricity by 2030. I have a Twitter thread here, but no answers.  Quiz question Which Labour leader lost the 1955 election to Anthony Eden? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Sunak says small boats policy is 'working' with crossings down 20% The prime minister also announced two more barges to house asylum seekers  Covid lockdown benefits were 'drop in the bucket' compared to costs Johns Hopkins University study casts doubt on policy's effectiveness  Austerity left UK 'hugely unprepared' for Covid A TUC report said the NHS was left 'dangerously understaffed' Articles driving the biggest conversations Sunak WhatsApp 'mistake' has given Boris an opportunity, warns ex-No 10 chief Articles available exclusively to subscribers Can Sunak soften Biden up on a post-Brexit trade deal? What else do you need to know today? Welcome back. Recess over, the Commons now sits until 20 July, except on Fridays Suella Braverman, the home secretary, was told off by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker, for failing to provide Yvette Cooper, her shadow, a copy of her statement on small boats in time Rishi Sunak wanted to talk about boats, but was criticised for taking a helicopter to Kent Keir Starmer went, not by helicopter, to Hinkley Point in Somerset, to underline Labour's commitment to building new nuclear power stations Repair, replace: Labour is celebrating the prospect of £5m in donations from Gary Lubner, the Autoglass tycoon  Thanks to Adam Forrest and Archie Mitchell, without whom this newsletter would not be possible Rentoul's reading list Colin Yeo: is Rishi Sunak's "Stop the Boats" plan really working? Ben Walker says he is not sure uniform swing will reassert itself at the next election: if true, the Tories are in deeper trouble than I thought  The best of what you might have missed while the newsletter has been in recess: Victoria Richards on the sad girl aesthetic; David Allen Green on the government's legal challenge to the Covid inquiry; Dan Hodges on what is wrong with the inquiry; Peter Kellner on why proportional representation is unlikely to happen Listening list: I enjoyed chairing a discussion of Brexit red tape last Thursday, in which David Henig, Kate Devlin and Simon Calder agreed that things can only get better I wrote at the weekend that Labour's policies, particularly on green investment, are not yet ready for the rigours of an election campaign (Premium)  £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow Cabinet meets before the Commons kicks off at 11.30am with health and social care questions. A busy day on the select committee corridor, with three ministers facing questions – Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, on EU retained law, at 11.15 am; Andrew Mitchell, the development minister, at 2.30pm; and Lucy Fraser, the culture secretary, at 3pm.  Baroness Hallett, chair of the Covid inquiry, is expected to comment on the government's decision to opt for a judicial review in the tussle over releasing WhatsApp messages and other material when she holds a preliminary hearing at 10.30am. The Confederation of British Industry holds an extraordinary general meeting at noon about its future, after allegations of sexual misconduct. And finally (Walking up to Don Quixote): Hi I'm a huge fan. Don Quixote: (Eyes narrowing) You're a *what*? Anna Worm Quiz answer: Clement Attlee, who retired six months later in November 1955 to be replaced by Hugh Gaitskell We noticed that you might not be registered By registering, you will enjoy limited access to Independent Premium articles, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists REGISTER FOR FREE OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now Morning Headlines Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by the UK team Join now Health Check Every Thursday, 7am (UK time) Written by Rebecca Thomas Join now The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 News you can trust The Independent has a 100% NewsGuard trust rating FIND OUT MORE If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters. Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email.   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's The View From Westminster email. Add us to your safe list of senders . If you do not want to receive The Independent's View From Westminster email, please unsubscribe. If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.