Rishi Sunak could attend Cop27 after all, says Downing Street, as critically grows

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Rishi Sunak could still go to this months global climate summit if he makes enough progress on his much-anticipated Autumn Statement.

Last week the Prime Minister said he would skip the Cop27 conference in Egypt, saying he must instead focus on domestic economic challenges.

But yesterday, following a weekend of criticism from Tory MPs, Downing Street confirmed that he was considering a U-turn saying the position was under review.

It follows reports that Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, is considering attending.

Mr Sunak’s official spokesman said his attendance in Sharm El-Sheikh was dependent on preparations for the statement, due on Nov 17.

‘Pressing domestic issues’

“As we’ve said, the Prime Minister is focused on pressing domestic issues, most significantly preparing for the Autumn Statement, so any attendance at Cop would depend on progress on preparation for that fiscal event, and that work is ongoing,” he said .

“The Prime Minister fully recognizes the importance of the Cop summit and is fully committed to addressing climate change.”

The spokesman said Mr Sunak believes that the public would rightly want him to focus on the domestic issues, particularly on restoring fiscal credibility and delivering on a budget that works for the British people.

He added: There is substantial progress being made on that, and so we are keeping the position on Cop under review at the moment.”

Downing Street also suggested the public judges the Government on “outcomes”, not “vibes”, when grilled on the Cop26 president and climate minister losing their seats around the Cabinet table.

“I think, frankly, the public don’t judge us on the sort of vibes, I think they judge us on our outcomes,” the spokesman said.

At the weekend Alok Sharma, the Government’s climate czar, had said he was “disappointed” by the decision not to attend the summit.

‘Right to reconsider his decision’

And George Osborne, a Tory former chancellor, asked why Mr Sunak would “trash” the party’s record on the environment.

Critics of the decision not to attend pointed out that US President Joe Biden was expected to go.

Friends of the Earth said Mr Sunak was “right” to review his position but insisted “showing up is not enough”.

“The Prime Minister is right to reconsider his decision not to attend the climate summit,” energy campaigner Tony Bosworth said.

“If Rishi Sunak wants to be taken seriously on this issue, he should attend these vital talks.

“But showing up is not enough. Sunak’s Government must do far more to demonstrate its commitment to building a fossil fuel-free future.”

The Green Party also called on Mr Sunak to show “global leadership” by making the trip to Egypt, warning this year’s talks are “more important than ever”.

“The UN says that only an urgent transformation of society and our economy can avoid disastrous climate impacts,” co-leader Adrian Ramsay said.

“If our Government rises to this challenge, we can show global leadership and create a better society at the same time.”

Earlier, food minister Mark Spencer told LBC the possibility of Mr Johnson going was not a “consideration” for the Prime Minister, who will be “looking at how much he’s got in his inbox.

“But I think the fact that Boris is thinking of going is a demonstration of how seriously the Conservative Party and the Conservative Government takes these things,” he said.

Mr Spencer told Sky News he would like to see the Prime Minister go to Cop27 “if he’s got time” but “he’ll make that call and I’m sure it’ll be the right one”.

Labor accused Mr Sunak of “dithering” over the issue, claiming that if he does make the trip it will be to “avoid embarrassment” rather than to provide leadership.

Ed Miliband, the shadow climate change secretary, said: “Last Friday his Environment Secretary said Rishi Sunak wasn’t going because Cop27 wasn’t a big summit.

“Now after a storm of criticism, her deputy says he might go if he can find the time.

“A dithering Prime Minister who cannot even decide whether he is going to a major environmental summit cannot provide the leadership our country needs.

“What’s clear now is that if he turns up, he won’t be to provide leadership but to avoid embarrassment.”

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