Labour Minister Darren Jones has issued a stark warning about the Green party's election promises, labelling them as 'undeliverable' and likely to leave voters disappointed. In an exclusive interview, the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary argued that the Greens are offering 'simple solutions to complex problems' in a manner he compared to populist right-wing parties.
Polling Pressure and Political Positioning
The comments come as Labour faces significant pressure in the polls, with a recent YouGov survey showing the party only four points ahead of the Greens, who have surged to 16% support - more than double their 6.7% share at the last general election. Jones described the Greens as 'the populist left version of the populist right', drawing parallels with Reform UK and warning that both risk failing their supporters.
As Keir Starmer returns from the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil, his government appears divided on how strongly to champion its environmental agenda. This internal debate comes amid concerns about rising energy bills and growing opposition to net zero targets from right-wing parties.
Labour's Green Commitment and Electoral Strategy
Jones firmly denied that Labour is retreating from its core environmental policies. 'I can reassure people that's not the case,' he stated, pointing to government funding for renewables and insulation programmes. He acknowledged the changing global landscape, noting: 'A few years ago, there was a global consensus around net zero. There's not now. So it's contested space, but Britain continues to lean into that debate.'
The minister revealed a strategic shift in Labour's approach, emphasising the need to prove the party is a 'modern party facing the future, delivering for modern Britain' to win back progressive voters. This marks a departure from their previous tactic of pitching to the right to prevent votes going to Reform.
The Challenge of Winning Back Young Voters
Jones expressed understanding of why younger Britons might feel the economic system isn't working for them, but cautioned against turning to populist alternatives. 'They will be disappointed, because they're not going to get the change they want by voting for the populist left or the populist right,' he warned.
Having beaten the Greens into second place in his Bristol North West constituency, Jones acknowledged the party's growing credibility in Britain's 'five-party system' but challenged them to explain how they would govern effectively rather than making unrealistic promises.
Looking ahead to the next election, Jones dismissed assumptions that progressive voters would automatically return to Labour to keep out Nigel Farage. 'I don't assume that at all. We have to work hard to win every single vote,' he insisted, describing the choice between Labour and Reform as a 'very grave' decision for the country.
Government Challenges and Future Directions
The minister admitted that the prospect of Labour failure paving the way for a Farage-led government keeps him awake at night. 'Yes, because we can't allow that to happen and we won't allow that to happen,' he stated emphatically.
In his role responsible for delivery across government, Jones emphasised the need for bold reforms to failing public services, suggesting that 'over time, civil service headcount will reduce' as AI takes on more functions. He also addressed concerns about the government's digital ID scheme, dismissing online claims that it represents surveillance as 'disinformation'.
With local elections approaching next May, Jones acknowledged the challenges facing governing parties in midterm elections but denied this would be a make-or-break moment for Starmer's leadership.
