Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls on Canadian Conservatives to propose a “conservative way” to fight climate change.
“You have to show that the green agenda will produce jobs and growth. And if you cannot demonstrate it as conservatives, you will go backwards,” he warned at the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference in Ottawa on Wednesday evening.
The former Downing Street tenant recalled having been a “big skeptic about climate change”, “like many people in this group, possibly”. “I used to write terrible things,” he remarked, after scanning the room filled to capacity with conservatives of all stripes.
Then, at the head of the city of London (2008-2016), then of the United Kingdom (2019-2022), Boris Johsson “had” to admit that he had not taken any science lessons after he was 13. , “be humble” and “believe” in the need to fight against greenhouse gases (GHG).
“As conservatives, I don’t think we can afford to just say to the public, to young people who really care about this issue, that we’re judging the whole agenda, because let me tell you, the elections are won by the party that really takes ownership of the future,” reiterated the Brexit champion, repeating in the same breath to conservatives hungry for power “that there is a conservative solution to these dilemmas.” “People want to see that there is a plan or a program to deal with this problem in a conservative and appropriate way,” insisted the former head of government nicknamed “BoJo”.
His calls for action were met with hushed murmurs and quiet applause by participants of the Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference gathered in the Westin Hotel in downtown Ottawa.
They reserved their loudest applause for former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was also on stage. The latter was sorry to see some people “trying to turn the world upside down in order to reduce our emissions [de GES jusqu’]to zero on a given date” while “it is far from obvious that carbon dioxide produced by humans is the only or even the main factor in the climate”.
Support for Ukraine’s candidacy for NATO
Boris Johnson and Tony Abott, however, agreed to call for an intensification of efforts by the Ukrainians and their allies to repel Russian forces.
“Canada has been fantastic so far,” said Mr. Johnson. “If I had to comment, I think the time has come to adopt an even stronger position,” he continued, pointing in particular to Great Britain.
Mr. Johnson said he was convinced that the Ukrainians “will do the job” and force the Russians to retreat “if they have the tools.” “Let’s give them the tools!” » he exclaimed.
Boris Johnson and Tony Abbott also unreservedly supported Ukraine’s candidacy for NATO membership.
They also reiterated their support for the Israeli government, which seeks to put an end to Hamas in the Gaza Strip… and for the author JK Rowling whose positions on gender identity are considered transphobic.
The Canada Strong and Free Networking Conference (formerly Manning Centre) supports the Canadian conservative movement by highlighting, according to its founders, the best ideas favoring limited government intervention, free enterprise, individual responsibility, among other things.