Sustainable Economy #title image Published by Will Straw, February 2nd 2010 at 5:01 pm

Osborne’s climate gaffe

Someone must really want to hurt figure-of-fun, “Boy” George Osborne. As these images from the BBC show, within a minute of announcing that Lord Stern would advise the Conservatives, the man in question had issued a statement denying his involvement.

George-Osborne-Lord-Stern-gaffe

The full story is reported in the Evening Standard and on Sky. George Osborne announced he was “delighted that Lord Stern has agreed to advise us on the creation of this Green Investment Bank”. Only for Lord Stern to say later:

“I should stress that I am not, and have no plans to be, an adviser to any political party.

“Climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy should be high on the agenda for every political party, not just to reduce the risks that result from greenhouse gas emissions but also to stimulate an exciting period of growth, creativity and innovation.

“I would be willing to speak to the Conservatives’ advisory group about their ideas for a Green Investment Bank, just as I am continuing to contribute to discussions with the Labour Government about policies on climate change.”

Lord Stern was second permanent secretary at the Treasury while Gordon Brown was Chancellor from 2003 until his retirement in 2007.

UPDATE 17.11

Liberal Conspiracy also have the story.

Comments
  1. RT @leftfootfwd: Osborne's climate gaffe: picture evidence http://bit.ly/aYJ7HN

  2. Ben Cooper says:

    RT @leftfootfwd: Osborne's climate gaffe: picture evidence http://bit.ly/aYJ7HN < Boy George has been a gift to Labour today!

  3. Ged Robinson says:

    RT @leftfootfwd: Osborne's climate gaffe: picture evidence http://bit.ly/aYJ7HN < superb captions

  4. James Lloyd says:

    RT @leftfootfwd: Osborne's climate gaffe: picture evidence http://bit.ly/aYJ7HN

  5. Patrick says:

    What about the claim made by Osborne about Britain’s falling international standing on regulation and tax burden? (Falling from 4th to 84th/86th)

    Have a blog post about it here http://fullfact.org/?p=235 but have been unable to get an answer back from CCHQ as yet…

  6. Anon E Mouse says:

    Will – it’s just a mistake surely?

    Is this all Labour activists have on the Tories?

    We’re going to get whacked at the end of March I think…

  7. gsdog7 says:

    Osborne's climate gaffe: picture evidence http://bit.ly/aYJ7HN (via @leftfootfwd)

  8. RT @bencooper86: RT @leftfootfwd: Osborne's climate gaffe: picture evidence http://bit.ly/aYJ7HN < Boy George has been a gift to Labour today!

  9. [...] Left Foot Forward illustrates how the gaffe played out on [...]

  10. Lolwhites says:

    Osborne's climate gaffe | Left Foot Forward: http://bit.ly/9ors1R via @addthis

  11. [...] had to blog the reader-submitted graphic above – check out the times on the clock! Osborne claimed yesterday that Nicholas Stern would be advising the Tories on environmental policy before being summarily [...]

  12. Rich Watts says:

    Just noticed that Lord Stern hadn't agreed at all to advise the Tories on climate stuff. It was just a big fib. http://is.gd/7E5Lh

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