Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has accused Energy Secretary Ed Miliband of “binding Britain to Beijing” in the pursuit of Net Zero, following a recent collapse of a case linked to alleged Chinese espionage. Badenoch criticized Miliband’s “green dogma,” suggesting it puts the UK in a position of dependence on China for essential renewable energy technologies, reports BritPanorama.
Charges against two individuals, Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, were dropped after the UK Government failed to produce concrete evidence supporting claims that China posed a security threat. Badenoch pointedly remarked on the UK’s reliance on China for solar panels and electric vehicle batteries, pressing Miliband to clarify the implications of the spy case’s dismissal.
China plays a critical role in supplying renewable energy infrastructure vital for the UK’s goal to decarbonize its energy grid by 2030. The Asian nation is also a key player in the electric vehicle sector, raising concerns among UK officials regarding the sustainability of relying on foreign powers for these technologies.
Miliband defended his actions, stating, “We’re not going to in any way compromise our national security.” He underscored that ensuring the nation’s security is the government’s foremost responsibility, aiming to counter criticism regarding his approach to energy policies.
The UK aims to achieve a fully zero-emissions fleet of new cars and vans by 2035. This ambition aligns with the recent visits by both Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Peter Kyle to China, intended to strengthen trade relations despite ongoing tensions surrounding security concerns.
