Former Cop26 chair says bill reinforces ‘unfortunate perception about UK rowing back from climate action’
Alok Sharma, the former business and energy secretary, will not be voting for Rishi Sunak’s oil and gas bill, criticising it as a sign the government was “not serious” about meeting its international climate commitments.
The bill, due to be debated in parliament on Monday, would allow for an annual licensing regime for oil and gas exploration contracts. It has been hugely controversial among the green wing of the Conservative party – the former minister Chris Skidmore announced on Friday he would be stepping down as an MP as a result of the proposed legislation.
