Why U.K. Conservatives Are Going All Green

British Conservatives have long had an on-off relationship with environmental causes. Margaret Thatcher was an advocate of action on global warming during her time in office, but seemed to cool on the idea in retirement. David Cameron urged the U.K. to “vote blue, go green” in 2006, but later reportedly told aides to “get rid of all the green crap.”

Now, it’s most definitely on. The Tories are considering creating new national parks, having floated bans on wet wipes, plastic drinking straws and other single-use plastic products just this month. This follows a ban on microbeads and the announcement of an ambitious 25-year green plan by Theresa May earlier this year. The prime minister has one of her cabinet big hitters, Michael Gove, as environment secretary, and her lawmakers regularly tweet their support for all things green and animal-friendly. And Her Majesty’s Armed Forces have just been sent to Africa to save endangered black rhinos.