Concerned about the environmental situation of Steve Baker MP, constituents have created a Steve Baker Watch group. They also launched a crowdfunding page to raise funds. Baker’s constituency in Wycombe in the rolling Chiltern Hills believes that Baker is trying destroy the government’s plans to improve our environment.
Baker, as chair of European Research Group, was instrumental in pushing for a hard Brexit. He also helped to establish the Net Zero Scrutiny Group. (NZSG) has close links with the Global Warming Policy Foundation, which is a lobbyist group that has been accused denial of climate science.
Last week, the Guardian reported that fears were being raised by the group of trying to stop the government’s green agenda. This was linked to the crisis in the cost-of living and could lead to fears about a culture war campaign to net zero.
The Guardian was told by the campaigners: Steves Net Zero Watch campaign is going to make Wycombe people’s lives miserable. He wants us to stop using cheaper, cleaner energy, insulate our homes, and create a better tomorrow for our children. We’re fed up!
They will educate the local population about their MP’s views on climate action by holding leaflet drops, holding vigils outside of his office, and setting up a website.
Baker said to the Guardian: I see that the people associated in this campaign are from the opposition parties in the constituency. I am grateful for all they do to highlight the fact that Wycombe voters will be poorer, colder if we don’t change our course, as I am attempting to do.
While we all care about the planet, our current net zero strategy does not work for those with higher incomes. I will happily explain this to voters if local Lib Dems/Labour want it.
The group insists that it does not represent any political parties. It said: We are concerned citizens who care about climate changes and the lives of ordinary people. We don’t represent any political party.
Despite being relatively small, the NZSG group has received extensive media coverage over the past month. It claims it doesn’t dispute climate science or the necessity to decarbonise. It has called to reduce green taxes and increase fossil fuel production in order to address the energy crisis. And it recently advocated for fracking in the UK.