Goodbye Greg, thanks for the memories…
In the biggest shake up the cabinet and government departments have seen in years or as the Daily Telegraph have coined it “The cull of the middle class, middle aged men”, Greg Barker Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change is no more.
Having been in post since May 2010 and having served in opposition in the same role his move to quit politics comes as a surprise and a renewed career in the private sector beckons.
Celebrating his “terrific time” Barker said:
“For me it’s time to seek new challenges. I remain 110% supportive of the Prime Minister and his ambition for Britain”
Michael Fallon leaving his post as Energy Minister to become Defence Secretary, replacing Philip Hammond, has followed Barker’s departure.
Liz Truss to Replace Owen Paterson
Less fortunate has been Owen Paterson, Environment Secretary, who has been unceremoniously dumped from his role.
Barker’s departure, an unusually green supporting member of the Conservative party, leaves a hole likely to be filled by climate skepticism.
Fallon, who joined DECC only 12 months ago and who combined the role with that of business minister is the big winner.
But it is likely that renewable energy is the big loser, not only have Barker’s green credentials gone, but Owen Paterson is to be replaced by Liz Truss at DEFRA who has been a vocal opponent of large scale solar farms and biomass plant.
Despite the concerns, Paterson’s departure has been warmly welcomed by some with John Sauven, Executive Director of Greenpeace, damning in his appraisal of Paterson’s tenure:
“If history remembers him, it will not be kind.
“An ideological attachment to climate change denial saw him sack people working on flood defences just when we needed them most.
“When his own scientists tried to brief him, he refused to hear them out.
“Hopefully his successor will have an affinity for evidence-based policy-making. Mr. Patterson most certainly did not.”
Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
For now Ed Davey’s position as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change is safe as being a Liberal Democrat MP his party’s reshuffle in the coalition government is not scheduled until MPs return from the summer recess.
New Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change
We await the announcement of Barker’s replacement as Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change.