The Infrastructure Minister made several pointed criticisms of people and groups who oppose net zero in yesterday’s Tynwald sitting.
Yesterday (December 10), Tynwald voted against holding a public referendum on the island’s Net Zero policy.
Instead it endorsed the view that the issue should be debated during the 2026 general election.
Against Net Zero
Dr Michelle Haywood MHK framed those against Net Zero as the product of misinformation and fossil-fuel-industry influence.
She believes that many opponents have been “corrupted” by the fossil fuel lobby.
The Minister argued that decades of deliberate disinformation by fossil fuel companies have shaped public opinion and political positions.
She said using “net zero” as a rallying cry for resistance is largely driven by false narratives promoted by fossil fuel interests, calling these narratives “lies.”
Different Opinion?
The Minister believes that fossil fuel companies want the public to be divided and uncertain.
She warned fellow Tynwald members to not be “sucked into” the fossil fuel lobby’s misinformation, suggesting that those who oppose net zero may be unknowingly echoing industry propaganda.
She also noted that disagreement with net zero ignores global realities, such as international technology changes and vehicle manufacturing bans, which will happen regardless of local opinion.
Fossil Fuels
Dr Haywood delivered a sharp critique of the fossil fuel industry, accusing it of decades of misinformation.
“It is utterly shameful that so many people have been corrupted in their thoughts by the fossil fuel lobby,” she said, alleging that companies have funded political pressure and social-media disinformation to undermine climate science.
Using “net zero” as a political wedge, she argued, is exactly what those interests aim to achieve: “They want to create mistrust, to suggest it’s not settled, that it’s not real.”
Listening Now
Interestingly, Minister Haywood said Members of the House of Keys “do need to listen” to their constituents.
Yet it was only days ago that the same Minister said “In a representative democracy, parliamentarians have to listen to all the voices, but especially we have to take a view on matters for the people who can’t speak up for themselves (particularly the young and the elderly). In some respects we listen to the silent voices.”
You can listen to the entirety of Dr Haywood’s speech below:
