Ben Goldsmith’s Letter To The Telegraph

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By Paul Homewood

The Telegraph have printed this letter from the billionaire Ben Goldsmith today:

SIR – Charles Moore couldn’t have got it more wrong in writing that climate change fears are elitist and limited to those in metropolitan areas.

MPs up and down the country report increasing numbers of constituents raising this issue with them. There is in fact huge public backing for action on climate change, and in particular support for energy efficiency and renewables.

Moreover, it is a myth that climate policies are driving up energy bills: wind and gas are now demonstrably the cheapest sources of electricity in Britain. Bill-payers are better off as a result of green policy measures which drive greater efficiency. And, ultimately, our economy is stronger because of the world-leading contribution our country makes to green industries.

As we leave the European Union, we must continue to show leadership, encourage innovation, work towards energy self-sufficiency and invest in long-term sustainable energy solutions – no matter what the ever-shrinking collection of climate naysayers do to try to hinder such progress.

Ben Goldsmith
Chairman, Conservative Environment Network
London NW3

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Here’s my reply, which we’ll have to see if they publish:

Dear Sir

Ben Goldsmith claims that climate policies are not pushing up energy bills (Letters, 4^th May).

He obviously is not aware that, according to the OBR, subsidies for green energy will cost £9.1bn this year, and are due to rise to £14.3bn by 2020. To that figure must be added £11bn for the smart meter rollout. All of this must be paid for by bill payers.

He also claims that wind power, along with gas, is now the cheapest form of electricity. Perhaps he might like to explain why wind farms still require large subsidies under the CfD mechanism, rather than compete on the open market.

Paul Homewood

I have to say it is ironic that the aforesaid billionaire, from one of the poshest parts of London, takes umbrage with Charles Moore’s claim that climate change fears are largely a elitist, metropolitan issue!