Sir Alok Sharma will stand down at the next election — days after raising concerns about net zero

Sir Alok Sharma, pictured during a climate event in New York last week Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images North America

Former Cop26 President Sir Alok Sharma has announced he will not stand in the next general election.

The former Conservative cabinet minister who chaired the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow two years ago has said that will continue to defend its position. «climate action» in parliament for the remainder of his tenure as an MP.

His announcement came days after he raised concerns that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was weakening a series of promises designed to help the UK reach net zero. economy by 2050.

Sir Alok's Reading West constituency, which he has led since 2010, will have its boundaries changed at the next general election and will be renamed Reading West and Mid Berkshire.

In the 2019 general elections, Sir Alok increased his majority to 4,117 from 2,876 in 2017.

In a Twitter post on Tuesday evening, Sir Alok wrote: “I have informed my local Conservative Association this evening that I have decided not to stand at the next General Election and therefore am not seeking to be accepted as the Conservative candidate for a renegotiated seat in the House of Representatives » Reading West & Middle Berkshire.

“This decision was not easy for me. It has been the honor of my life to be an MP for the constituency where I grew up, as well as the privilege of serving in government and representing the UK on the international stage.

“I am grateful to all the constituents, local organisations, charities and businesses I have had the pleasure of working with since being elected as a candidate for Parliament in 2006, as we have campaigned together on a range of issues to make our the local region is the best place to live and work.

“I will continue to support my Conservative colleagues and serve my constituents diligently for the rest of my time as an MP, and champion causes in Parliament that I care deeply about. oh, especially the fight against climate change.»

'Consensus Break'

Sir Alok was knighted for his contribution as a world leader in efforts to combat climate change in the 2023 New Year Honors List.

< p>In a series of tweets last week, Sir Alok wrote: “[I'm] concerned about the erosion of the UK's political consensus on tackling climate change.

“Cutting and changing policies creates uncertainty for businesses and the public. Ultimately, this makes it harder to attract investment and increases costs for consumers.

“During the Cop26 climate conference, the UK led the world on net zero, tackling climate change and tackling climate change.

< p>“Our international partners are concerned about the position taken. Leading a green growth agenda is good for the economy, investment, jobs and the environment.”

In early September, Mr Sunak eased an effective ban on building new onshore wind farms in England to prevent threats of rebellion from Tory MPs led by Sir Alok.

His amendment to the Level Up and Regenerate Bill , designed to end the de facto ban, was signed by dozens of Conservative Tories, including the former prime minister. Liz Truss and several other former ministers.

More than 70 MPs have said they will not stand again at the next general election.

Those who have withdrawn include former cabinet ministers Conservatives Dominic Raab, Matt Hancock and Sajid Javid, as well as former defense secretary Ben Wallace.

Former Labor ministers Harriet Harman and Margaret Hodge also said they planned to resign, as did Ian Blackford, the former leader Scottish National Party at Westminster, and elect committee chairmen Sir Bill Cash, William Wragg and Robin Walker.