ACTIVISTS staged a demonstration outside Rishi Sunak’s North Yorkshire home after it was revealed by the Guardian that the pool inside used so much energy the local electricity network had to be upgraded to cope with the demand.
The 40ft pool was built in the grounds of the Prime Minister’s constituency home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, and was believed to cost around £400,000 to heat.
Activists from Greenpeace gathered outside the Grade II listed home this morning (March 29).
The activists wore swimming trunks, flip flops and scuba diving gear, as they lined up outside the gates of Mr Sunak’s house, said to valued at £2 million, waiting to get access to the Prime Minister’s private pool.
A Greenpeace spokesperson said the activists aimed to highlight the “hypocrisy” of the Prime Minister paying for private upgrades while UK residents struggle to pay energy bills.
The demonstration comes ahead of the Government’s 'Energy Security Day’ tomorrow (March 30).
Read next:
- More trains plan for Malton - despite number of cancellations
- Scarborough and York hospitals to reintroduce staff charges from June
- Fresh plea for A64 dualling after delay announced
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“While Sunak will enjoy doing lengths in his warm pool, the rest of us are stuck with an outdated power network, not fit for purpose, that’s blocking the roll-out of more cheap and clean renewables.
“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“Sunak must upgrade our outdated grid and clear away other barriers to renewables so we can reap the full benefits of cheap energy from solar and wind, bringing down bills and carbon emissions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.”
When the story was first reported the prime minister declined to comment on the works at his constituency home.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here