The Hull and East Riding Green Party has welcomed Luke Campbell’s backing of the region’s green energy sector. The Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor recently told councillors: “Who doesn’t like cleaner air and green energy? I do and I’m all for that.”
However, in his response to the Greens’ comments, the Reform UK Mayor said, though he supports creating skilled jobs in the region, he believes pursuing net-zero targets “will not deliver lower energy bills or economic prosperity”.
Ever since the former professional boxer was elected as Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire in May, many were eager to see how he would balance the economic interests of the region and the views and policies of the political party he was elected to represent. Reform UK has previously stated it would scrap net-zero policies if the party is elected to government.
In a recent letter to Hull’s three MPs, Mr Campbell wrote “green energy is a key part of the Local Growth Plan, and I want to reiterate my support for it”. Reacting to the comments, East Riding Of Yorkshire Council’s two Green Party councillors praised the Mayor. Andy Walker and Tim Norman, who both represent the Bridlington South ward, both left the Yorkshire Party earlier this year to join the Greens.
Cllr Walker said: “Climate change is a fact. To sweep it under the carpet as Reform are doing is a betrayal of future generations. I’m delighted the Reform Mayor has turned his back on the nonsense peddled by his party when it comes to the environment.”
His ward and party colleague, Cllr Norman, added: “Action on climate change can be a huge boost to the local economy. Creating ‘green jobs’ is the way forward for the economy locally.
“Offshore wind, hydrogen, and the supply chain that supports them are key. We look forward to working with Mayor Campbell, on cross party basis, to ensure his Mayoral term is a huge success for our area and the desperately needed investment comes to our deprived communities.”
Hull and East Riding Green Party co-ordinator Stewart Arnold said: “The Mayor is proving to be an ally when it comes to making the case for climate change action. The Green Party, as shown by the huge increase in membership numbers recently, is winning the argument for both environmental and social equality. We are glad the Mayor is coming on board!”
Responding to the comments made by local Greens, Mr Campbell once again reiterated his support for delivering growth through the region’s industries, stating: “I am committed to creating high-skilled, well-paying jobs for people in Hull and East Yorkshire. My focus is on backing industries we already know deliver for our region, but we need to seize opportunities to attract new investment to deliver growth.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
