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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking during a Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, September 14, 2023
RISHI SUNAK was besieged on all sides over his net-zero policy climbdown today, with business leaders and Tory backbenchers joining environmental campaigners in calls for him to think again.
The Prime Minister revealed details of his leaked U-turn, announcing that the government is abandoning plans to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 and gas boilers from 2035, key parts of Britain’s climate change commitments.
The shift is driven by cynical Conservative calculations after the unforeseen Tory win in the Uxbridge by-election indicated that backpedalling on green issues might resonate with parts of the electorate.
![Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks in front of a live map of smoke movement during a press conference updating media on ongoing forest fires in Ontario, in Toronto [Pic: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP]](https://msd11.gn.apc.org/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2026-07/8canadafire.jpg.webp?itok=9a8C3kap)
As Ontario burns, campaigners are demanding action – not more pipelines, says DAVE McKEE
As fossil fuels have had their day, JOSIE MIZEN makes it clear that it is now the government’s responsibility to initiate the transition to alternative employment in a manner that is organised, efficient and effective