Outgoing UK premier backs new nuclear plant in final major speech

LONDON

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson used his final major speech on Thursday to pledge a £700 million ($806 million) investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, England.

Johnson said it would be “madness” not to go ahead with the nuclear power plant, and criticized short-termism for Britain falling behind on nuclear energy.

“It is a chronic case of politicians not being able to see beyond the political cycle,” he said.

He contrasted Britain with France, and bemoaned the UK slipping behind its peer.

“Why have we never got back to that kind of rhythm?” he asked.

In a partisan shot across the bow, Johnson criticized the Labour Party’s years in power between 1997 and 2010 for failing to develop nuclear power.

“For 13 years the previous Labour government did absolutely nothing to develop this country’s nuclear industry. They said it didn’t make economic sense,” Johnson said.

“Thanks a bunch, Tony. Thanks a bunch, Gordon,” Johnson said in reference to Tony Blair, prime minister from 1997 to 2007, and his successor Gordon Brown who served from 2007 to 2010.

Johnson’s ruling Conservative Party has been in power either in coalition or alone since 2010, which is 12 years in total. He did not mention any previous Conservative prime ministers.

On Sizewell C, Johnson said the nuclear power plant would create “tens of thousands of jobs.”

“It will also power six million homes - that is roughly a fifth of all the homes in the UK - so it'll help to fix the energy needs, not just of this generation but of the next,” he added.

“A baby born this year will be getting energy from Sizewell C long after she retires and this new reactor is just a part of our Great British nuclear campaign,” he said.

Johnson, set to step down as prime minister next week, used his Thursday speech to urge his successor, who will be announced on Monday, to “think about the future.”

“No more national myopia, no more short-termism, let's think about the future, let's think about our kids and our grandchildren, about the next generation,” he said.

“And so I say to you, with the prophetic candor and clarity of one who is about to hand over the torch of office, I say go nuclear and go large and go with Sizewell C."

Buying new kettle 'will save you £10 a year'


During his speech, Johnson came up with a unique solution to the cost-of-living crisis.

"If you have an old kettle that takes ages to boil, it may cost you £20 to replace it. But if you get a new one, you’ll save £10 a year, every year, on your electricity bill," he advised.


Last week, Britain's energy regulator announced that it will raise its cap on energy bills to an average of £3,549 from £1,971 a year from coming October.

When asked what kind of former prime minister he will be, Johnson replied: “I think only time will tell is my answer on that one. But my intention and what I certainly will do is give my full and unqualified support to whoever takes over from me,” Johnson said.

“Otherwise, really to get on with life."