What did I do to be so Green & Blue?

Green skies ahead for the Tories

BBC Radio 4's Analysis: What did I do to be so Green & Blue?, was broadcast on Thursday, 6 April, 2006 at 20:30 BST.

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David Cameron says the environment will be at the centre of Conservative policy. But can he really deliver? And what does this shift mean for the future of his party? Camilla Cavendish of the Times tests the points of tension as the true blues go green.

For some prominent Tories, of course, there are no problems. John Gummer, who is leading the party's review group into the quality of life, says Conservatives have always been environmentalists, starting with Disraeli. The concept of stewardship of the land for future generations is, he argues, central to conservatism. And he points out that Mrs. Thatcher was an enthusiastic supporter of action on climate.

Others aren't so sure. Tom Burke, who advised three Conservative environment secretaries, believes Mrs. Thatcher's green period was both tactical and short-lived. He says the party now faces a key choice - between its support for free market economics and its commitment to the environment. For Andrew Simms of the New Economics Foundation, the choice is starker. He says Mr. Cameron must choose between the recommendations of Mr. Gummer's commission and those of the review group on competitiveness, led by John Redwood.

In a fascinating interview for the programme, Mr. Redwood discusses his views on the environment. On aviation, he sees two Tory impulses in conflict: environmental protection versus enterprise and consumer choice. He is unsure about whether human activity is causing climate change, although he is happy to go along with reducing carbon emissions. He says the only way to tackle emissions is through an international agreement. So rather than taking domestic action, Britain should act as a broker for a global pact.

And Camilla discovers another potential area of disagreement: Europe. It's commonly reckoned that 80% of British environmental legislation originates at EU level. Yet Mr. Cameron wants to withdraw his MEPs from their alliance with the European People's Party. Conservative MEP Caroline Jackson tells the programme that this would be a disaster, leaving her party utterly powerless over European environmental legislation.

While Mr. Cameron's shift in rhetoric has changed the party's image, tough choices remain if any of his words are going to be translated into hard policy. The devil will be in the detail.

Presenter: Camilla Cavendish
Producer: Hugh Levinson
Editor: Nicola Meyrick