The Guardian reports that the National Trust has joined other groups in criticizing the Prime Minister for his stance on the environment and threatening to encourage their members to vote against his government:

‘ Environmental groups claiming to represent 20 million people will mobilise their members if UK ministers water down climate commitments, they have warned.

Groups including the RSPB, National Trust and the RSPCA have written to the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who has signalled his willingness to back away from green policies should the Conservatives stand to benefit from it electorally.

“We will not stand by whilst politicians use the environment as a political football. It is courage and leadership that we need now,” they said.

“In the past, we have mobilised many of our members collectively with extraordinary results, and our resolve to stand firm now against any and all attacks on this critical policy agenda remains absolute.”’

Andrew Tettenborn comments in the Spectator: ‘The letter’s first signatory is the executive director of the think-tank-cum-pressure-group the Green Alliance, Shaun Spiers, who is an ex-Labour MEP. The other organisations were also represented by the signatures of their CEOs. But this hardly means that the members of these organisations, not least a big one like the National Trust, agree with everything in the letter. Most National Trust members just want to enjoy a walk and have a drink at the tearoom.

The letter circulated to the press – and reported in the Guardian – suggests an overwhelming public desire to defend net zero. But this was not a spontaneous expression of the views of any large number of people, let alone 20 million. It was rather a cri de coeur from 52 members of the charitable great and good, most of whom probably took a short time to sign it when it most likely landed oven-ready on their desks.’

What do you think? If you are a member of the National Trust, let the Director-General know whether you support her in making this representation on your behalf. Write to enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk.