Cabinet's green split
James Forsyth 5:43pm
There’s a fun but revealing story in the FT today about a row within the Cabinet about what kind of cars they should all be driven round in. The split is between those who favour Ministers travelling in the eco-friendly Toyota Prius and those who think it is important that they use a car made in Britain. John Hutton, the business secretary, is in the British camp along with two of Gordon’s closest allies, Ed Balls and Jack Straw. While on the green side of the fence are Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, David Miliband and Hilary Benn—the past and present environment secretaries.
On the one hand, this can be seen as a simple turf war. But it does go to a more serious point about whether the cabinet is more committed to cutting carbon emissions or trying to support British-based manufacturing. The side which Brown eventually comes down on will give us a little window into his thinking on this. It does, though, seem strange that there is no British manufactured-hybrid, considering the demand for more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient cars. Maybe, Jaguar could commission one—they could even call it British Racing Green—and solve the Cabinet’s dilemma.
Hat Tip: The Evening Standard
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Annie
March 19th, 2008 6:53pm Report this commentI think they've got a damn cheek considering how much pressure they're putting on the rest of us to either buy green cars or bankrupt ourselves in our old favourites
Simon Birkett
March 19th, 2008 10:47pm Report this commentDear James Forsyth
The Campaign for Clean Air in London has recently urged again the Prime Minister to commit the UK to comply fully with air quality laws after having been rebutted on the subject successively by David Miliband, Hilary Benn, Ruth Kelly and Tessa Jowell. The full text of Tessa Jowell's reply on the subject can be seen on our new website:
www.cleanairinlondon.org.
As you say, the Prime Minister's reaction to this 'green' pressure will tell us all whether there is any chance of this Government meeting its environmental obligations whether current or prospective.
Watch this space!
Yours sincerely
Simon Birkett
Principal Contact
Campaign for Clean Air in London
Archimedes
March 20th, 2008 7:13am Report this commentIsn't is more significant that the first account we get of a cabinet debate is about Ministers' own cars - an example of the garage roof syndrome (ie boards have a tendency to nod through big decidons but discuss trivial ones where they are capable of having views?
Fergus Pickering
March 20th, 2008 8:33am Report this commentI don't know how much consideration Cabinet Ministers have given to walking? I don't buy the security stuff. Who on earth would want to assassinate Jack Straw? Or anyone really. The man Brown is a different matter. He needs protection night and day.
THX1138
March 20th, 2008 10:08am Report this commentMaybe they should cycle along behind while the car carries their coat & their mobile just like Dave.
Hereford
March 20th, 2008 11:56am Report this commentSimple... ...buy a British car and have it LPG converted.
C Powell
March 20th, 2008 12:25pm Report this commentWhat car they should use? What nonsense! They should walk or use the tube/bus just like the rest of us.
EyeSee
March 20th, 2008 12:50pm Report this commentI read an article recently about a BMW 530d and a Prius driving to Geneva. The BMW used slightly less fuel. Oops. Brown taxes the proles, but in fact should be incentivising car firms to come up with a clean motive power. But then there are the oil companies and their taxes, fuel tax and the money that petrochemical companies can donate. Let alone the jobs they can offer the politicians (who have two requirements; that it pay phenomenally well and that it requires no actual work).
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