Government criticised over renewed delay to online safety bill
GuardianMAR 10 2023
The Facts
On Wednesday, UK PM Rishi Sunak announced plans to attend the COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt next week after pressure from green campaigners and MPs prompted him to reverse an earlier decision to skip the conference.
Downing Street initially said that Sunak wouldn't have time to attend as the Conservative party leader is preparing for a budget announcement on Nov. 17.
"There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change," the PM said in a statement on Twitter. "That is why I will attend Cop27 next week: to deliver on Glasgow's legacy of building a secure and sustainable future."
The Spin
Left narrative
Sunak poorly misread the national mood when he decided not to attend a summit key to international cooperation in the fight against climate change. Even though — amid a state of (Conservative-made) political chaos — the more distant and existential threats seem less significant than today's urgent issues, sometimes tomorrow must take precedence.
Right narrative
The PM has been browbeaten into attending this conference, even though his original decision was justified. The world's largest climate emitters have made it blatantly clear that they're not concerned about green targets. Sunak should be prioritizing the security of public finances over this specious parade.