Jeremy Corbyn has outlined energy pledges to “reform our broken, dated and polluting energy market” and “end the era of fossil fuels”.
The leadership candidate this morning unveiled his energy manifesto entitled Protecting Our Planet. In it he attacks the Conservative government’s record on the environment – including fracking.
The Islington North MP outlines his approach to energy and climate change, which would include ensuring Britain provided international leadership on climate change and and worked towards the “socialisation” of the country’s energy supply to “end the era of fossil fuels”.
Corbyn has said he would created 1 million new green climate jobs and launch an independent public inquiry into levels of air pollution. Under his leadership, Labour would also ensure “everyone has access to a decent home that is low-carbon and affordable to keep warm”
He launched this document this morning alongside climate change campaigner Alan Simpson at an eco-hub. His team have said they chose this location “to highlight the effectiveness of good practice green public investment ventures in high-population density areas”.
Corbyn has also noted that there is an “electoral dimension” dimension to these plans. “To win, we must show we have a modern vision of an innovative country that has a new idea of prosperity and success. Our collective aspirations must lie with a greener vision of Britain. And we must reach out to those voters who care deeply about the environment if we are to build the electoral alliance we need”, he says.
He argued that the question shouldn’t be how can we afford to do this, “The question should be how can we not afford to?” Corbyn said “If politics is about anything it’s about better futures. Our policy today shows the green energy future we can’t afford not to choose.”
This comes after he declared his support for nationalising the ‘big six’ energy firms.
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