Sunak announced the reversal on Twitter, making no reference to his previous reluctance, saying: “There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change. There is no energy security without investment in renewable energy sources. That is why I will be attending Cop27 next week: to deliver Glasgow’s legacy of building a safe and sustainable future.” The move could open the door for King Charles to also attend, just five days after the No 10 said it was not the “right opportunity” to do so. Sunak had been under constant pressure to go to Cop27 in Sharm el-Sheikh from the many supporters of the UK’s net zero goals in the Conservative party and parliament more broadly, as well as facing international criticism. The Egyptian government had expressed “disappointment” and Carlos Fuller, Belize’s ambassador to the UN, had told the Guardian it appeared as if the UK was “washing its hands of its leadership”. Government officials and policy experts from around the world, such as Mohammed Nasheed, speaker of the Maldives parliament and former president, agreed that there is no priority more important than climate change. Alok Sharma, who led the UK Constabulary in Glasgow last year, said he was “delighted” by Sunak’s reversal, having previously said he was “disappointed” he was not planning to attend. Sunak’s turnaround was widely welcomed by other Tories, with former energy secretary Chris Skidmore taking the government’s rating to a net zero, saying: “It is extremely good news that Rishi Sunak will continue to champion the UK’s leadership of climate and the Cop26 legacy with Alok Sharma. “I look forward to also attending Cop27 to highlight how the net zero review is an opportunity to better deliver greater prosperity and economic growth.” Sam Hall from the Conservative Environment Network added: “Financially prudent, environmentally ambitious climate action is one of the UK’s greatest policy successes and sources of diplomatic influence, and perhaps the best example of Global Britain. As the Cop chairmanship moves to Egypt, it is welcome for the Prime Minister to lead the UK delegation.” Downing Street had said on Friday that Sunak would not be going to Sharm el-Sheikh because of “depressing domestic challenges”. However, it was reported by the Observer that Sunak’s predecessor and rival Boris Johnson was planning to go to show solidarity in the fight against the climate crisis. A day later, the No 10 said Sunak’s decision not to attend was “under review”. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Parliament’s cross-party environment group had written to Sunak, inviting him to attend the summit in Egypt. The group said: “We hope that, as Prime Minister, you will use your power to support environmental policies that improve the economy while strengthening the environment at home and abroad. “The decisions your government makes will have a significant impact on the lives of people across the country, and indeed across our planet, for generations to come.”
