Why Not Try Ditching 'Slease' Rather Than Environmental Levies?

John Vidal (former Guardian Environmental Editor) appears quite upbeat about the UK's ability to have a positive impact on our world's attempt to deal with climate change (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/03/great-green-reset-10-things-britain-save-planet-cop26). Vidal points out that the UK still holds the Presidency of Cop26 and can send strong signals about a 'great green reset'. He lists 9 areas, where the UK can clearly demonstrate its proactive credentials. These could include announcing an end to North Sea oil and gas exploration; ditching fossil fuel subsidies; protecting nature; stopping adding to deforestation; getting marine transport to 'slow steam' (reducing its emissions); encouraging people to continue changing their behaviour (in terms of diet, travel, recycling etc); abandoning most transport plans (stopping building new roads, rail and airport expansions); forcing house builders to improve the energy efficiency of new build homes and insulating existing homes/boosting home use of renewables (e.g. solar). Vidal clearly feels that the UK's credibility is strongly dependent on keeping the promises its government have made. This appears extremely unlikely. Many of the groups, that would lose out by making these changes, financially support the present governing party. 'Slease' is where the UK has its real expertise. 'Slease' (known as 'pork barrel politics' in the US) is basically doing covert deals, of questionable legality, to benefit the politician, his/her party or selected cronies. Cronies are expected to direct some of their profits back to the politician/party. Billions of pounds have, for example, been directed to the families and friends of politicians to supply personal protective equipment/ test and trace services etc. The UK is currently experiencing a substantial cost of living increase. This is partially down to the increasing cost of gas. Sadly, some people are already in a situation, where they have to choose to 'eat or heat (their homes)'. What is the political response? A substantial number of MPs want government to remove environmental levies ('green crap') on gas to make it cheaper for consumers (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/02/boris-johnson-urged-by-tory-mps-to-address-cost-of-living-crisis). Environmental levies are generally put in place to force suppliers to become more energy efficient. We, perhaps, need more levies in areas like short-haul flying. Much of the money wasted on 'slease', could have already been used to make more UK homes better insulated and heated by renewables. Simply taking away levies is not a good look for the UK's environmental credentials!