Activists said they were ‘waiting to get access to the prime minister’s private pool’ on Wednesday (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd nort)
Greenpeace activists wearing trunks, flip-flops and caps have lined up outside Rishi Sunak’s £2 million Grade-II listed mansion to protest against the UK’s outdated national grid.
Earlier in March, it was claimed that the prime minister had paid to upgrade the electricity grid in his North Yorkshire constituency to power his new £400,000 heated swimming pool.
It is understood he has built a 40ft pool in the grounds of his home, alongside a gym and tennis court.
But climate activists are furious at what they call the ‘hypocrisy’ of Britain’s leader paying for private upgrades while failing to upgrade the country’s outdated national grid.
Greenpeace activists wearing trunks, flip flops and caps line up outside Rishi Sunak’s home (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd nort)
Campaigners have named the PM a ‘hypocrite’ (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd nort)
They say which it ‘remains unable to deliver the green energy revolution for the rest of us that would lower bills and help tackle the climate crisis’.
Pictures show campaigners going for a ‘pool party at Rishi’s’ and ‘waiting to get access to the prime minister’s private pool’ on Wednesday.
The demonstration comes ahead of the government’s ‘Energy Security Day’ on Thursday, where ministers are expected to announce policies to boost carbon capture and new fossil fuel projects.
But campaigners have blasted the upcoming plans, saying they ‘will do nothing for energy security and would be disastrous for the climate’.
According to Ofgem, a smart grid could save up to £4.7 billion a year by the end of this decade.
An estimated 350 public swimming pools have been forced to shut or reduce opening hours amid surging energy bills, MPs were informed earlier this month.
Philip Evans, Greenpeace UK’s climate campaigner, said: ‘We’re queuing up for the prime minister’s heated pool because a better electricity grid should be a public good, not the private luxury of millionaires.
‘While Sunak will enjoy doing lengths in his warm pool, the rest of us are stuck with an outdated power network, not fit for purpose, that’s blocking the roll-out of more cheap and clean renewables.
They held banners demanding the government upgrade the national grid (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd nort)
The PM owns a Grade-II listed manor house in Richmond (Picture: North News & Pictures Ltd nort)
‘Securing green energy for all should be the focus of the government this week.
‘Instead, they’re approving new oil drilling and giving tax breaks to fossil fuel giants, proving they really are out of their depth when it comes to tackling the climate and energy crisis.
‘Sunak must upgrade our outdated grid and clear away other barriers to renewables so we can reap the full benefits of cheap energy from solar and wind, bringing down bills and carbon emissions alike. If he refuses, he leaves us stranded without a raft.’
Downing Street has been contacted for comment. A spokesperson for the PM declined to comment on the works at his constituency home at the time of the initial reports.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Greenpeace activists wearing trunks, flip-flops and caps have lined up outside.