I advised David Cameron in the days of 'cut the green crap'. Here's what both Tories and Labour could learn | Tara Singh

There are clear parallels between the climate crises facing Rishi Sunak and the former PM - and there's one gamechanging solutionWith energy prices at record highs and the Conservatives trailing in the polls, a Tory prime minister pacifies restless backbenchers and the right-leaning media by promising to cut green costs for consumers, while pinning future bill increases on Labour's "gimmicky" 2030 decarbonisation goals. That describes 2013, but could just as easily apply to 2023. It seems that Rishi Sunak has not just recycled David Cameron back into his cabinet, he has recycled Cameron's energy policies, too. But Cameron's approach to climate policy was more nuanced than many give him credit for. Sunak, as well as Labour, could learn something from his successes and failures.I worked with Cameron in 2013, and while some will find this surprising, he really did care about the climate. Once in power, he committed significant sums to developing offshore wind, and continued to speak on climate crisis issues at home and abroad. Since 2010, renewable electricity output has grown by 500%, coal has been almost phased out, and electric vehicle sales have soared. Many of Cameron's policies are ones to be proud of.Tara Singh is managing director of public affairs at Hill & Knowlton. She was the government's special adviser on energy and environment from 2013 to 2015Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...