Published by the Green Alliance, in January 2012. A toxic conjunction of incompetence and ideology has all but destroyed David Cameron’s promise to lead the ‘greenest government ever.’ In doing so the Coalition has wasted a rare opportunity to align the economy and the environment. Instead, it has chosen to […]
Tom Burke’s political commentary: A tune that bodes ill for environment and growth
Published in ENDS Report 443, p. 52, 20 December, 2011. On Europe and the environment, Cameron and Osborne have advanced arguments in the past month that will only serve to drive a wedge between the Coalition parties. The law of unintended consequences catches up with all political leaders eventually. In […]
Tom Burke’s political commentary: From the greenest government ever… to our very own Tea Party
Chris Huhne is right – green ‘red tape’ can be good for business
Tom Burke’s political commentary: Cameron’s green gambit – true hue or camouflage?
ENDS Report 436, p. 48, May 2011. One year on and a string of government missteps have left many questioning its true commitment to the environment and genuine reform The collision between the simplicities of politics and the complexities of government is often a brutal experience for ministers. Politics is […]
How Green is my Government?
Tom Burke’s political commentary: One year on, coalition’s promise is under stress
ENDS Report 435, p. 61, April 2011. David Cameron pledged his administration would be “the greenest government ever”. Forthcoming decisions on the Green Deal, Green Investment Bank and fourth carbon budget will reveal how serious he was It is a year since the coalition government took power. Though distasteful to […]
Tom Burke’s political commentary: ‘Greenest government’ neglects politics in quest for managerial efficiency
ENDS Report 433, p.54, February 2011. The coalition government failed to make a political case before announcing the sell-off of England’s state-owned woodlands. It will do well to learn the lesson of what followed. In November 1999 I wrote an article, “Sleepwalking to Seattle”, for the Times. I pointed out […]
Tom Burke’s political commentary: This killer bill will weaken environmental regulation
Published in ENDS Report 430, p. 70, November 2010. The alarming Public Bodies Bill gives ministers sweeping powers to abolish or change regulatory and advisory bodies set up by act of Parliament. Fraudsters and conjurers are both skilled in the art of misdirection. They are masters at deceiving you into […]
Tom Burke’s political commentary: Can blending blue and yellow really make green?
ENDS Report 424, p. 51, May 2010. The distribution of seats in the new coalition cabinet might concern some environmentalists, but the Conservative and Liberal Democrat green ministers should not find it too hard to work together Cabinet creation is an arcane process. The rapid shuffling of seats and the bottoms […]