. Which promise does he intend to keep? To take one example, he has reimposed the ban on fracking. How does that sit with the desperate necessity to ensure Britain's medium to long-term energy security? His immediate predecessor recognised that events which were entirely unforeseen in 2019 have shown some manifesto pledges to be less than sensible; yet Mr Sunak intends to plough on regardless. Presumably, he will not review the equally nonsensical and probably unachievable commitments to net zero by 2050, and ban on sales of new petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030. No doubt, a fracking ban will help to retain a few votes in one or two Red Wall seats; and the other 'green' measures will gain the approval of metropolitan liberals – most of whom would never vote Conservative anyway. But, while war still rages in Ukraine and energy prices continue to rise, how many votes will be lost in hundreds of other seats that are vital to Conservative success? His stubborn adherence to such policies may prove to be bad not only for the country but also for his party and personal ambition. John WaineNuneaton, Warwickshire SIR – If we are to achieve our goals on renewables we need to use the least damaging fossil fuels as our principal source of energy during the transition. Fracking would have provided that source relatively cheaply and efficiently, while bolstering our energy security. Instead, the new Prime Minister has chosen more expensive, more damaging and less secure sources. It is madness. Alasdair OgilvyStedham, West Sussex SIR – Andrew Wilson (Letters, October 27) makes a good defence of the safety of fracking technology 'regardless of the presence or absence of a drinking water aquifer'. However, at a){kind=link}
SIR – The new Prime Minister has promised to do whatever is necessary for the country’s best interests. However, he has also pledged to abide by the 2019 Conservative manifesto (“10 key Tory manifesto pledges that Rishi Sunak has promised to deliver”, report, October 25). Which promise does he intend to keep?
To take one example, he has reimposed the ban on fracking. How does that sit with the desperate necessity to ensure Britain’s medium to long-term energy security? His immediate predecessor recognised that events which were entirely unforeseen in 2019 have shown some manifesto pledges to be less than sensible; yet Mr Sunak intends to plough on regardless. Presumably, he will not review the equally nonsensical and probably unachievable commitments to net zero by 2050, and ban on sales of new petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030.
No doubt, a fracking ban will help to retain a few votes in one or two Red Wall seats; and the other “green” measures will gain the approval of metropolitan liberals – most of whom would never vote Conservative anyway. But, while war still rages in Ukraine and energy prices continue to rise, how many votes will be lost in hundreds of other seats that are vital to Conservative success?
His stubborn adherence to such policies may prove to be bad not only for the country but also for his party and personal ambition.
John WaineNuneaton, Warwickshire