TRG Publishes New Book: Green Gold by Tim Yeo MP
19/7/2010
EMBARGO 00:01 Monday 19 July 2010
TIM YEO MP: BRITAIN MUST RAISE ITS GAME ON CLIMATE CHANGE
+++ Government should introduce radical measures including road tolls on motorways and carbon credits scheme +++
In a new book published today by the Tory Reform Group ("TRG"), Tim Yeo MP calls for the Coalition to take urgent action to tackle climate change and to reap the rewards of an early transition to a low carbon economy.
Green Gold: The Case For Raising Our Game On Climate Change is a timely and provocative contribution to the debate on climate change. Setting out his vision for Britain, Mr Yeo, the Chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, argues that working towards a low carbon economy is not a "luxury" but is essential to our future prosperity. Action is needed now: relying on the ability of future generations to adapt to climate change instead of asking the present generation to start the process of mitigating would be a selfish and risky strategy.
Mr Yeo argues that the Coalition must meet the huge challenge to restore the country's financial stability whilst also radically reforming energy, transport, taxation, planning and construction policy to step up the pace of Britain's transition to a low carbon economy.
Mr Yeo urges the Coalition radically to harness the tax system to galvanise Britain's adoption of low carbon technology. In particular he calls upon the Government to:
- Decarbonise the transport system by incentivising low emission vehicles and introducing road pricing on our motorways while simultaneously transferring them to private ownership;
- Introduce a personal carbon credits scheme;
- Improve our energy security through more renewables, more nuclear and no new coal fired power stations without carbon capture and storage, even though these changes will inevitably raise consumer prices;
- Introduce stringent building standards, rigorously enforced and supported by radical changes to council tax and business rates to reward those who invest in energy efficiency and penalise those who do not;
- Work internationally to end the perverse incentives for poorer countries to destroy the rain forests.
Mr Yeo said:
"Britain faces serious economic challenges but we cannot afford for climate change to fall down the agenda. If we lead the way in switching to a low carbon economy, we will reap the rewards as going green will be rewarded with gold. By contrast, if we fail to decarbonise our electricity industry, our transport system and our buildings we will fall behind our competitors abroad and pay a much heavier price financially in the future.
"We must beware of China who, behind a smokescreen of recalcitrance in international talks, is moving faster than most Western countries to decarbonise its economy. We risk waking up in ten years time to find that suddenly China is hawkish about the need for tougher limits on global emissions and for faster action to cut them. By then, it might just do so from a position of advantage.
"The Coalition Agreement promises a full programme of measures to deliver a low carbon economy. It is vital that the Government delivers on David's personal commitment to making the country greener and heeds his calls for much greater urgency in tackling climate change."
Tim Crockford, Chairman of the Tory Reform Group, said:
"Tim Yeo's pamphlet is a timely reminder that whilst we must ensure that the public finances are put back into shape; we must also recognise that Britain has this opportunity right now to tackle climate change and to lead the world in pioneering the development of green technologies. We simply must not be left behind."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Tim Yeo has been MP for South Suffolk since 1983. He was Minister of State for the Environment in the last Conservative Government and Shadow Environment Secretary when the Conservatives were in opposition. From 2005 to 2010 he chaired the House of Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee. In 2010 he was elected as Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee. Tim became a Patron of the Tory Reform Group in 2010.
The Tory Reform Group is one of the largest groupings within the Conservative Party and is the home of One Nation Conservatism. Composed of Parliamentarians, Councillors, Conservative members and voters from across the country, it is the voice of progressive Conservatism. The TRG President is the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP and Patrons include The Rt Hon Sir John Major CH KG, Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, Lord Heseltine CH and the Rt Hon Sir George Young MP. In June 2009, David Cameron wrote that "the TRG is central to where the Conservative Party needs to be." For more information visit www.trg.org.uk
Statement
23/6/2010
LORD WALKER
It is with great regret that the Officers and Board of the Tory Reform Group learned this morning of the passing of The Rt Hon Lord Walker of Worcester CBE. Lord Walker was the founding President and a Patron of the Tory Reform Group. He was a statesman of great accomplishments and served as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the World's first Environment Secretary and as a popular Secretary of State for Wales.
The Chairman of the Tory Reform Group, Tim Crockford said this morning:
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing last night of Lord Walker. He was a very great man and was instrumental in the formation of the Tory Reform Group. As the TRG approaches its 35th birthday we will all remember the great contribution Lord Walker made to the cause of one nation progressive Conservatism as well as his passion for our Party and country.
I met Lord Walker for the first time some eight years ago. I was struck by his generosity and the great encouragement which he gave to me and to other young Conservatives. He took a great deal of time to encourage young people to enter into politics and he will be sorely missed across the political spectrum. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family."
ENDS
About the Tory Reform Group
The Tory Reform Group is one of the largest groupings within the Conservative Party and is the home of One Nation Conservatism. Composed of Parliamentarians, Councillors, Conservative members and voters from across the country, it is the voice of progressive Conservatism.
The TRG President is the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP and Patrons include The Rt Hon Sir John Major CH KG, Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, Lord Heseltine CH and Sir George Young MP. In June 2009, David Cameron wrote that "the TRG is central to where the Conservative Party needs to be." For more information see www.trg.org.uk
Coalition is in the National Interest
9/5/2010
SUNDAY 9th MAY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORY REFORM GROUP: COALITION IS IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST
The Tory Reform Group congratulates all Conservatives on the election results last Thursday. The Party fought its best campaign in a decade and achieved its best result since 1992. There can be no doubt that the country has rejected Gordon Brown and the Labour Party.
It is essential that a stable Government is formed at the earliest possible opportunity. The TRG supports David Cameron’s attempts to form a Government inclusive of Liberal Democrats.
David Cameron achieved a swing towards the Conservatives comparable with that of Margaret Thatcher in 1979 and gained more seats than at any General Election for eighty years. All Conservatives should recognise the success that his modernisation of the Party has brought and should support him in creating the stable administration this country so desperately needs.
The TRG believes that the country needs a strong Government which can be confident of introducing urgent measures to tackle the enormous deficit which is the legacy of New Labour as well as restoring civil liberties, addressing the challenge of climate change and ensuring a progressive One Nation Government.
The next Government must be able to maintain the confidence of the House of Commons and command a Parliamentary majority. The TRG therefore believes that a formal coalition with the Liberal Democrats is in the national interest.
ENDS.
For interviews with Tim Crockford, TRG Chairman, please contact him at Chairman@trg.org.uk .
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Tory Reform Group is one of the largest groupings within the Conservative Party and is the home of One Nation Conservatism. Composed of Parliamentarians, Councillors, Conservative members and voters from across the country, it is the voice of progressive Conservatism.
The TRG President is the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP and Patrons include The Rt Hon Sir John Major CH KG, Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, Lord Heseltine CH and Sir George Young MP. In June 2009, David Cameron wrote that “the TRG is central to where the Conservative Party needs to be.” For more information visit www.trg.org.uk.
TRG Congratulates David Cameron
11/5/2010
PRESS RELEASE
TUESDAY 11th MAY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORY REFORM GROUP CONGRATULATES DAVID CAMERON
The Tory Reform Group congratulates David Cameron, Britain's new Prime Minister. Britain has a new Government to face the enormous challenges of the huge deficit bequeathed by New Labour, climate change, the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the erosion of civil liberties.
The Conservative Party has put country before party politics. We support David Cameron as he builds a sustainable coalition that commands the parliamentary majority necessary to take the difficult decisions that lie ahead.
We welcome the Prime Minister's continuing commitment to One Nation Conservatism, emphasising the principles freedom, fairness and responsibility and share his belief that, by working under a stable coalition, together we can rebuild the economy and restore trust in politics.
ENDS.
For interviews with Tim Crockford, TRG Chairman, please contact him at Chairman@trg.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Tory Reform Group is one of the largest groupings within the Conservative Party and is the home of One Nation Conservatism. Composed of Parliamentarians, Councillors, Conservative members and voters from across the country, it is the voice of progressive Conservatism.
The TRG President is the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP and Patrons include The Rt Hon Sir John Major CH KG, Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, Lord Heseltine CH and Sir George Young MP. In June 2009, David Cameron wrote that "the TRG is central to where the Conservative Party needs to be." For more information visit
Sir John Major becomes TRG Patron
25/11/2009
On Wednesday 25th November 2009, the former Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH became a Patron of the Tory Reform Group. Sir John who lead the country and the Conservative Party for seven years, speaking at the Student TRG Reception said "The TRG is absolutely essential to the Conservative Party. It keeps us human."
Sir John was guest of honour at the Tory Reform Group Winter Dinner hosted by the TRG Vice-Presidents Damian Green MP and Alistair Burt MP.
The TRG Chairman Tim Crockford commented that "It is a great privilege to have Sir John as a Patron of the TRG. He is a distinguished former Prime Minister whose brand of compassionate conservatism with its emphasis on social justice and progressive policies accords with the TRG's One Nation message and that of today's Conservative Party. We are so very pleased to welcome Sir John to the TRG and look forward to working with him in the future."
TRG Pamphlet Published Today
9/12/2009
Embargo 00:01 Wednesday 9 December, 2009
TORY REFORM GROUP: ON CLIMATE, THE WORLD IS DRINKING IN THE LAST CHANCE SALOON
In a new pamphlet published today, the Tory Reform Group ("TRG"), one of the largest groups within the Conservative Party, has called for a Churchillian response to the threat of global climate change and for an urgent drive towards sustainable living.
Titled "Copenhagen and Beyond: What Next for Environment Policy", the pamphlet pulls together essays from senior politicians, candidates and experts and advocates decisive action by a future Conservative administration to confront the problems posed by climate change. It recommends that Conservatives adopt a Churchillian response to these issues: taking the lead in coordinating multilateral action; embracing innovation and new technologies such as wind energy; and encouraging and enabling businesses to move to a low-carbon economy.
In the leading essays, senior Conservative MPs call for swift action to prevent run away climate change. Tim Yeo MP, Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee, in his article "A Decade to Decarbonise Our Economy: the Challenge Ahead" stated:
"It is essential to understand the urgency of the task and to believe in the possibility of success. As the Arctic melts before our eyes the remaining flat-earthers who say nothing is happening are being silenced.
"On climate the world is drinking in the last chance saloon. Some people may conclude that it is already too late and therefore not worth trying to avert disaster. On the contrary, the challenge can be met and those who respond first will enjoy considerable financial rewards as well."
Setting out the four pillars to tacking climate change: decarbonising electricity generation; decarbonising buildings; decarbonising transport and the development of a high-speed network; and ending deforestation, Mr Yeo stated:
"Achieving these results isn't rocket science but simply the common sense application of existing technology and information.
John Gummer MP, former Environment Secretary, in his essay "Environment: the Conservative Heartland", looks to the Copenhagen summit and beyond. He stated:
"We must take measures to reduce the world's dependency on finite resources. We are living beyond our means and pressures of growth and increasing wealth are pushing us ever closer to disaster."
"We run our lives without consideration of sustainability. From youth through marriage, into old age, we live without heed. We sometimes count the cost in terms of social cohesion but rarely consider the material impact and sustainability of this way of living."
"The linking of poverty, environment and social justice is crucial to the understanding of our global predicament. Not only does our Western lifestyle take more from the planet that it can bear, it takes it disproportionately and, increasingly, to the detriment of the poor. For example the 40% of the world population who are dependent on fish for protein are increasingly being starved as "their" fish goes to the market of the developed world. It is not simply that we consume more than our share, we take it from those who have very little."
In his article, Mr Gummer sets out some practical measures to convert our economy to a sustainable one including: energy detensification, the eradication of food waste, energy improvements to buildings and effective taxation. He said:
"For too long Britain has stood on the side-lines and allowed others to take the strain and reap the rewards. It is not too late to seize the initiative and recover our reputation for leadership and commercial acumen. This nation of shopkeepers could sell products and services that will develop the sustainable lifestyles that the world needs to survive."
Tim Crockford, Chairman of the Tory Reform Group, said:
"The challenge before us is of course great and we must recognise it. It is not just about tackling emissions but realising that fundamentality we must change our habits and way of life. We must begin to live sustainability and responsibly and living not as consumers endlessly devouring the resources of our planet but instead living in tune with the planet. Understanding, as our grandparents' generation did, that its resources are finite and that we are guardians for our children and their children. It will be a difficult transition for our society to make but as a Party it is the Conservative Party which offers the radical thinking and political will to make this possible."
ENDS
For a copy of the pamphlet, please contact Victoria Roberts, TRG Deputy Chairman at depchair@trg.org.uk or telephone 07971 688 972.
For interviews with Tim Crockford, TRG Chairman, please contact him at Chairman@trg.org.uk or telephone 0121 260 9962.
Notes to Editors
- The pamphlet published today by the TRG, with sponsorship from the British Wind Energy Association is titled "Copenhagen and Beyond: What Next for Environment Policy". The contributing authors are:
Professor Lord Stern of Brentford (Foreword)
Tim Yeo MP, Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee
Greg Clark MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
Rt Hon John Gummer MP, former Environment Secretary
Adam Bruce, Chairman of the British Wind Energy Association
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, PPC for Chippenham
David Skelton, PPC for North Durham
Rosamund McDougall, co-Chair of the Optimum Population Trust
Catherine Bowyer and David Baldock, of the Institute for European Environmental Policy
- The Tory Reform Group is one of the largest groupings within the Conservative Party and is the home of One Nation Conservatism. Composed of Parliamentarians, Councillors, Conservative members and voters from across the country, it is the voice of progressive Conservatism. The TRG President is the Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP and Patrons include The Rt Hon Sir John Major CH KG, Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, Lord Heseltine CH and Sir George Young MP. In June 2009, David Cameron wrote that "the TRG is central to where the Conservative Party needs to be." For more information visit www.trg.org.uk
Christmas Reception
17/10/2009
The TRG's Christmas Reception will be hosted by Sir George Young on 2nd December. Please see the events page to book tickets.Winter Dinner with Sir John Major
12/10/2009
We are delighted to announce that tickets for our Winter Dinner and International Lecture with Sir John Major are now on sale. Please see the events page to download a booking form.Summer 2009 edition of Reformer published today
21/8/2009
The Summer 2009 edition of Reformer is published today. Highlights include articles by David Cameron MP, Ken Clarke MP, a Special Report on the Policy Review and the New Ideas section.
Members should receive their copies in the post in the next few days. A PDF version will be available to download from the website shortly.
TRG Conference Programme
21/8/2009
TRG today published its Conservative Party Conference programme. TRG is hosting 5 events: the Mainstream Reception on Monday evening, the Foreign Policy Brunch on Tuesday morning, the Big Debate on Tuesday evening, the Database State on Wednesday lunchtime and Ken Clarke's Late Night Reception on Wednesday night. Full details are available on the Conference page of the website.
New Board Members
14/5/2009
TRG Chairman, Tim Crockford welcomed David Fazakerly (Treasurer), Alex Challoner and Gareth Compton to the TRG Board.
Macmillan Lecture 2009
1/5/2009
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Clark MP, delivered the TRG's 2009 Macmillan Lecture on 24th April 2009. The video of the lecture is now available online. Watch Video
New TRG Board
6/4/2009
At the 2009 AGM, a new TRG Board was elected. The Board thanked Tim Barnes who, after three years of oustanding work, stepped down as TRG Chairman.
Tim Crockford was elected as TRG Chairman and Victoria Roberts as Deputy Chairman.
Social Mobility in Britain: The Great Challenge for the 21st Century
27/2/2008
The Shadow Home Secretary, Rt Hon David Davis, will deliver the TRG's annual Macmillan lecture for 2008 this evening, outlining the challenges we face and the actions needed
Sir Malcolm Rifkind Responds To Tony Blair
13/6/2007
TRG Patron Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC MP responds to Tony Blair's article in The Economist, "What I've Learned"...
18 Doughty Street
10/5/2007
Conservative Activist Graeme Archer, Tim Barnes of the Tory Reform Group, Sean Gabb, Director of the Libertarian Alliance and transport journalist Christian Wolmar...
18 Doughty Street
4/4/2007
Tim Barnes of the Tory Reform Group, London Mayoral Candidate Victoria Borwick, Josie Appleton from the Manifesto Club and Jonathan Isaby of the Daily Telegraph talk about Iran and Boris...
TRG Wales is launched - Nick Bourne AM to be latest TRG Patron
21/3/2007
As the Welsh Elections for 2007 approach, the TRG has launched TRG Wales in response to the growth in Conservative support. Nick Bourne AM, Conservative leader in the Welsh Assembly, will become a Patron of the TRG...
18 Doughty Street
28/2/2007
Mark Field MP, Tim Barnes of the TRG and French journalist Franck Guillory talk school lotteries and elections...
18 Doughty Street
9/1/2007
Another web TV appearace for the TRG Chairman, Tim Barnes, with John Torode (Daily Mail) and Caroline Hunt (Conservative Future)...
SuperMac found in TRG archives
28/12/2006
The Tory Reform Group has released a rare recording of a speech by 'Super Mac' to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's death on 29 December...
18 Doughty Street
19/12/2006
Tim Barnes appears on web TV channel with Paul Osborn and Rachel North...
18 Doughty Street
12/12/2006
Tim Barnes appears on web TV channel with Brian Appleyard of the Sunday Times, Simon Marcus (Social Entrepreneur) and Fiona Hodgson (Conservative Womens' Organisation). The programme is available to view on line by clicking here to watch the panel discuss Post Offices, animal testing, boxing and Blair vs Brown.
TRG launches new web presence
3/12/2006
The TRG gives details of the three parts of its online activities...
18 Doughty Street
15/11/2006
TRG Chairman Tim Barnes appears on web TV channel with John Hayes MP and Tim Montgomerie of Conservative Home fame...
Baroness Verma, John Bercow and Charles Hendry become TRG Patrons
3/10/2006
Tim Barnes welcomes the newest TRG patrons...
Hurd calls for the establishment of a new Council of Strategic Risk
24/9/2006
Lord Hurd speaks on the trouble with UK foreign policy at TRG lecture and makes radical proposal...
BBC News 24
21/5/2006
In a studio interview, Tim Barnes expressed the TRG's support, in principle, for the Conservative Party's A-list system but expressed the need to keep the process under review