ED Miliband faced significant criticism from the Conservative Party over his commitment to reduce household energy bills by hundreds of pounds as part of his Net Zero strategy, reports BritPanorama. Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho chastised him during the party’s annual rally, demanding, “Where’s our flipping £300?”
Coutinho’s comments followed Miliband’s assertion that the average household energy bill would decrease by £300 before the decade’s end. Meanwhile, the Conservatives outlined their own plans to lower bills by approximately £165.
“At the last election, Ed Miliband promised to cut bills by £300. Keir Starmer promised it. Rachel Reeves promised it,” Coutinho stated. She criticized Miliband for his remarks about disinformation directed at Elon Musk, stating, “So, conference, we’ve got a return message for Ed Miliband. If you want to talk about disinformation, where’s our flipping £300?”
Coutinho asserted that instead of decreasing, energy bills continue to rise, arguing that Miliband’s choices exacerbate the situation. She contended that while Miliband claims that increasing wind farm construction will lower costs, he is linked to record-high prices for electricity.
Policy Changes and Climate Debate
This backlash coincides with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to revise Net Zero laws, including plans to abandon the Climate Change Act, which she argues imposes limits that hinder economic growth.
The Conservative Party believes that the current Net Zero target for 2050 is detrimental, asserting it leaves British people poorer and threatens job security. Their proposals include axing the carbon tax on electricity generation and abolishing the Renewable Obligation subsidy scheme, which they estimate could save around £75 per household.
During her address, Coutinho referred to the Net Zero goal as “a religion” that is detrimental to both the UK and the environment. She emphasized, “The British people are no stranger to sacrifice for a just cause, but watching good jobs move abroad is not just.”
