Forum Message

Topic: Re:Reply
Posted by: Steven Rose
Date/Time: 29/10/25 12:46:00

It is a fantasy to suppose that China, America and India, who together are responsible for over half of global CO2 emissions, would ever change their policies because the UK has achieved net zero. These countries only pursue their own economic interests, which this country is sadly failing to do. For example, the UK has the highest industrial electricity prices and the fourth highest domestic electricity prices in Europe. High industrial prices slow growth and high domestic prices place a burden on the poorest in society. This is in large measure due to Labour's obsession with net zero. The fact that Ed Miliband has suspended further oil drilling in the North Sea while the UK continues to import oil from abroad shows that that Labour's policy is not about saving the planet (because the same quantity of hydrocarbons are being consumed). It's so we can feel good about ourselves as world leaders in environmentalism. It's virtue signalling on a grand scale.

This is my objection to so much of what passes for left of centre ideology nowadays. Policies are adopted, not because they are practical, but because the proponents can present themselves as well-meaning, good people. It's theology rather than politics. The Green Party, to return to the topic of this thread, are perfect examples of this theological tendency. Take, for example, Zack Polanski's policy of an annual tax at 1% on assets over £10 million and  2% over £1 billion. It's obvious that the rich, who provide a high proportion of the nation's tax take - the richest 1% pay around 30% of all income tax receipts - would not wait around to be fleeced in this way. They would take their money and move to kinder tax jurisdictions (like Italy), leaving this country poorer. So why propose this nonsense? His answer: 'it's all about reducing inequality'. But really it's all about acquiring a reputation for virtue. And many people, including, I suspect, contributors to Putney Forum, go along with this, especially when it is unlikely that they will have to stump up  1% of their own assets each year.   


Entire Thread
TopicDate PostedPosted By
Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 10:59:00 Nicholas Evans
   Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 13:07:00 Andy Pike
      Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 16:19:00 Michael Brigo
         Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 16:47:00 Andy Pike
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps30/10/25 02:01:00 Ed Robinson
   Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 17:09:00 Ivonne Holliday
      Reply28/10/25 17:22:00 Martine Guy
         Re:Reply28/10/25 19:50:00 Gerry Boyce
      Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 17:38:00 Steven Rose
         Reply28/10/25 17:54:00 Martine Guy
         Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps28/10/25 19:59:00 Gerry Boyce
         Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps29/10/25 07:54:00 Richard Carter
            Re:Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps29/10/25 08:36:00 Judy Allen
               Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps29/10/25 09:04:00 Steven Rose
                  Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Greens surge, Labour slumps29/10/25 09:39:00 Richard Carter
   Reply29/10/25 09:42:00 Michael Ixer
      Re:Reply29/10/25 11:10:00 Gerry Boyce
      Re:Reply29/10/25 12:46:00 Steven Rose
         Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 13:24:00 Michael Brigo
         Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 13:50:00 Gerry Boyce
         Reply29/10/25 13:56:00 Michael Ixer
            Re:Reply29/10/25 14:10:00 Robert Wheeler
               Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 14:24:00 Michael Brigo
            Re:Reply29/10/25 14:26:00 Steven Rose
               Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 14:39:00 Michael Brigo
                  Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 15:06:00 Robert Wheeler
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 15:09:00 Michael Brigo
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 15:26:00 Robert Wheeler
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 15:34:00 John Hawkes
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 17:00:00 Michael Brigo
                  Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 15:18:00 Steven Rose
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 21:34:00 Michael Brigo
            Re:Reply29/10/25 16:25:00 Gerry Boyce
               Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 17:11:00 Steven Rose
                  Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 19:19:00 Michael Brigo
                     Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 20:26:00 Philippa Bond
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 20:34:00 Gerry Boyce
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply29/10/25 20:43:00 Steven Rose
                              Reply29/10/25 21:23:00 Michael Ixer
                                 Re:Reply29/10/25 22:12:00 Steven Rose
                                 Re:Reply30/10/25 11:22:00 John Hawkes
                                    Reply30/10/25 21:43:00 Michael Ixer
                                       Re:Reply31/10/25 15:45:00 John Hawkes
                                          Reply31/10/25 22:45:00 Michael Ixer
                        Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply30/10/25 10:55:00 John Hawkes
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply31/10/25 15:44:00 Ivonne Holliday
                              Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply01/11/25 11:06:00 John Hawkes
                           Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Reply02/11/25 01:47:00 Ed Robinson

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