The former cabinet minister said he would support former high-level secretary Simon Clarke, who has tabled an amendment to legislation going through parliament calling for the current moratorium on new developments to be lifted. He joins former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, and Cop26 chairman Alok Sharma, in calling for the prime minister to step down. Flattening secretary Michael Gove has previously spoken of the need for more onshore wind, raising the prospect of a cabinet split on the issue. More than 30 Tories are now believed to support the Clarke amendment to the leveling and regeneration bill, which would allow wind farms in rural areas where there is community consent. Labor has confirmed its support for the amendment, raising the prospect of Sunak suffering a crushing defeat. Gove and Tory party whips are said to have spent the weekend talking to rebels, while Downing Street insiders suggested it was “highly unlikely” the prime minister would accept Clarke’s amendment amid concerns he would look weak if forced to back down. Berry, who was sacked as the party chairman by Sunak, said the new prime minister had six months to “strike out” as he was hit by a twin Tory rebellion over the plan – with MPs threatening to vote against both building objectives. She told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuensberg programme: “Boris Johnson used to call the wind turbines the white devil mills of the north of England when they were being built all over my constituency. “He’s changed his mind about them, I’ve largely changed my mind and I’m going to support Simon Clarke and his amendment because I think if you want to know why we should have more renewables, just look at your gas or electricity bill.” Since 2014, planning rules have effectively banned new onshore wind farms in England under tightening restrictions imposed by David Cameron’s government after pressure from Tory campaigners. The push for greater energy independence following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted calls to stop it. Truss had promised to change the rules, but was kicked out before she could do so. Ed Miliband, the shadow climate secretary, said: “Onshore wind is the cheapest and cleanest energy we have. The Tory ban has kept bills high and damaged our energy security. Rishi Sunak’s weakness means he has to be dragged to run it from his back benches. He should swallow his pride and turn around now. “Labour will support the Simon Clarke amendment, but even that trades the ban for what is still a highly restrictive planning regime for onshore wind – risking blocking developments and keeping bills high. Under this government, we are only forced to move at the pace of the slowest Tory backbencher.” Johnson did not seek to overturn the effective moratorium on new onshore wind projects during his premiership, but has since changed his mind. Sharma said he advocated letting “local communities decide,” advocating for residents to receive reduced energy bills in exchange for their support of new developments. The controversy over onshore wind farms is the second major challenge to the bill. Last week, No 10 pulled a scheduled vote after a rebellion over planning policy. But despite fears it had kicked into the long grass, government aides said MPs would have the chance to vote on the legislation before Christmas. 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. Ministers will today confirm a new £18 million consultation campaign, which Truss blocked on “ideological grounds”, to help millions of people cut their energy costs this winter. This includes advice on measures such as reducing the boiler’s flow temperature, switching off radiators in empty spaces and reducing heat loss through drafty windows and doors. Business secretary Grant Shapps will also unveil details of the new £1bn Eco+ scheme, which will support households with the cost of home insulation to save an average of £310 a year on bills. The scheme will extend support to those in the least energy efficient homes in the lowest council tax zones, as well as the most vulnerable. Shapps said: “The government has provided immediate help to support households in the wake of global energy price rises caused by Putin’s illegal march in Ukraine. “Today, we are launching the first of many measures to ensure the British public are never put in this position again as we work towards an energy independent future.” But Labour’s Ed Miliband said the Eco+ plan was “too little, too late” and would only help a tiny fraction of the millions of people struggling with energy bills this winter.
