The View from Westminster

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 The hidden net zero rebellion   Prof Philip Cowley, the guru of parliamentary rebellions, points out that the largest backbench rebellion last night wasn't the 22 Conservative MPs who voted for Dame Diana Johnson's Labour amendment on infected blood compensation.  It was the 28 Tories who rebelled against the government half an hour later on the target for electric vehicle sales. The government won the vote to require car companies to make 22 per cent of their sales next year electric vehicles, because Labour supported it.  This is a staging post on the way to an 80 per cent target for 2030, which Rishi Sunak changed from the previous 100 per cent target, now pushed back to 2035. This issue, of how quickly to drive towards net zero, is probably going to be resolved in the short term in favour of "more quickly", as Labour promises to restore the 2030 target of 100 per cent. But even if Labour wins the election, the argument will not go away.  Quiz question  The Fosse Way, the Roman road, links which two of London, Lincoln, Exeter and Chester? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Rishi Sunak suffers first Commons defeat in Tory revolt over infected blood payouts Dame Diana Johnson, Labour backbencher, secured an unusual parliamentary victory Stock up on torches and candles in case of power cuts, deputy PM warns Labour leader stopped frontbencher Sam Tarry attacking her 'failed' transport policies Rishi Sunak faces right-wing Tory revolt on Rwanda Home secretary insists Rwanda is 'safe country' – but right-wing Tories plot rebellion Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations Jeremy Hunt blames Brexit for years of turmoil The brutal truth is that the green movement has failed What else do you need to know today? ● The One Nation Caucus, claiming to speak for 106 Conservative MPs, warns Rishi Sunak that "overriding the European Court of Human Rights is a red line" ● Chris Huhne, the Lib Dem former energy secretary, has settled his claim against News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, for phone-hacking, for a six-figure sum ● Ask Me Anything on Thursday, 11am, about Boris Johnson's appearance at the Covid inquiry – get your questions in now: first asked, first answered Reading list ● Polly Toynbee: free childcare for 30 hours a week? It sounds too good to be true – and for worse-off families, it is ● Janan Ganesh: voters don't want to hear the fiscal truth ● Sir Anthony Seldon warns against being bamboozled by Boris Johnson in his two days at the Covid inquiry tomorrow and Thursday (Independent Premium) ● Sam Freedman has a good thread on the Pisa figures showing UK's improved schools performance relative to the rest of the world Inside the bubble Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for tomorrow Former Prime Minister's Questions: Boris Johnson will begin two days of  questioning at the Covid inquiry at 10am. He will eclipse current Prime Minister's Questions at noon. The Commons will also hear questions on Wales at 11.30am and debate the sentencing bill. Three cabinet ministers will give evidence to the select committees which monitor their departments – Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, at 9.25am; Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, at 9.30am; and Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, at 4pm. David Cameron, the foreign secretary, will head to Washington for talks with the Biden administration and others including pro-Trump Republicans, as he tries to stiffen the US's resolve on Ukraine. Quotation of the day "They've got more home secretaries going to Rwanda than asylum seekers." Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary Quiz answer: Lincoln and Exeter The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click 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