Trump victory could mean ‘game over for our planet’, Clive Lewis to say

Clive Lewis. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire Archant

Donald Trump’s election victory in the United States could mean it is “game over” for the planet because of his views on climate change, Labour will warn.

Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

Shadow cabinet minister and Norwich South MP Clive Lewis will say that Mr Trump’s success makes it vital for the UK to step up and take a leading role on protecting the environment.

Mr Lewis will also use a wide-ranging speech to call for a “new and lasting relationship” between Labour and business as the party seeks to respond to the “chaos” of Brexit under the Conservatives.

Shadow business, energy and industrial strategy secretary Mr Lewis will offer a “new deal” between Labour and the UK’s companies and workers.

Mr Lewis will set out Labour’s goal of ensuring 60pc of energy for power and heating comes from renewable sources by 2030

The plan could involve doubling solar capacity, new tidal installations in areas such as Swansea Bay and nuclear power.

He will highlight the UK’s responsibility to play a major role following the election of controversial tycoon Mr Trump, who has called global warming a “hoax”.

In a speech in London on Thursday, Mr Lewis will say: “There is a real danger that, without urgent action, the election of Donald Trump could mean ‘game over’ for our planet.

“It is time for Britain to show leadership on one of the biggest challenges confronting humanity today.

“But it’s not just about tackling climate change. It is about energy security in an increasingly insecure world.

“Breaking ahead in rapidly expanding markets for green technologies, creating hundreds of thousands of good manufacturing jobs and boosting productivity in the process. It is about reducing our reliance on dirty, imported fuels and becoming a net exporter of energy and energy technologies.”

Mr Lewis will promise business his party’s support “at this critical and uncertain time” following the Brexit vote.

“I am committed - Labour is committed - to building a new a new and lasting relationship,” he will say. “The next Labour Government will offer a new deal for business; a contract between Government, business and workers.”

Labour is launching a concerted effort to build links with business, with party leader Jeremy Corbyn set to address the CBI next week.

Mr Lewis will use his speech to highlight the uncertainty caused to business by the Government’s approach to Brexit.

“I say this to Theresa May and her Government: You may have once been the ‘party of business’ but as of now you have lost the right to claim that mantle.

“Your failure to provide a clear, transparent and decisive approach to Brexit is jeopardising the lives and livelihoods of millions of British people and putting at risk the UK’s international reputation as a place to do business.”

He will warn that Brexit must not result in a “race to the bottom” and will blame the failure to recognise the challenges facing “forgotten” communities for the vote to leave the European Union.

“The leave vote was strongest in Britain’s forgotten areas. Post-industrial towns, coastal towns. Places that have never recovered from de-industrialisation in the 1980s.

“Places that have been shaken by decades of untrammelled globalisation. It’s our failure of these communities that has, in part, led us to the current chaos. The political stability that business needs can only be built on a firm foundation of economic justice and mutual respect.”