Climate minister Alok Sharma ‘travels to 30 nations in 7 months without isolating’ – here’s what people think

Climate minister Alok Sharma is facing two-pronged criticism for apparently nipping around the world like a pinball during the pandemic, without isolating, while also encouraging people to limit their carbon emissions.

The Daily Mail reports that Sharma went on the most epic gap year ever while everyone else in the country stayed firmly at home, reportedly jetting off to 30 nations in seven months – including six countries on the government’s ‘red list’ – for diplomatic meetings, while skipping the need to quarantine post-trip.

Half of his journeys were during the winter and spring months at the start of the year when international travel from Britain was largely banned, the paper reports.

Meanwhile, days after returning from red-list Bangladesh, the Cabinet minister met Prince Charles indoors without a mask – then visited a primary school.

Sharma was able to dodge spending ten days in a quarantine hotel for the sum of £2,285 because of his ‘Crown servant’ status, exempting ministers, diplomats and other essential workers. Ordinary travellers, on the other hand, face fines of up to £10,000 for breaking travel quarantine rules.

As well as the Covid implications, people are noting the contradiction of a climate minister spending so much time on aeroplanes. In an interview last month, Sharma said “we all need to play our part” in tackling climate change and that “small changes” could make a difference to the environment.

Shadow justice secretary David Lammy said the travelling was “hugely worrying”. Speaking to LBC, he said: “That’s hugely worrying. I mean, the lack of self-isolation is bizarre and dangerous. And I think that it is probably impossible not to fly, of course, but I think he should be leading by example clearly.”

He added to Sky News: “Well, the optics are very clear – it’s one rule for them and another rule for us, whether it’s Dominic Cummings, whether it’s Matt Hancock, whether it’s Alok Sharma.

“Of course some international travel is required, but this amount of international travel when you’re climate change minister feels to me bizarre, and feels to not be setting the example.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Sarah Olney said: “As usual with this Government, it’s one rule for them and another for everybody else.

“While Alok Sharma flies to red-list countries with abandon, hard-working families can hardly see loved ones or plan holidays as the Government changes travel rules on the hoof.

“People are sick of the Government giving themselves get-out-of-jail free passes while the rest of us stick to the rules.’ Paul Charles of the PC Agency, a travel consultancy, said ordinary Britons would be angered by the minister’s ability to dodge travel restrictions.

“I don’t think families will ever forget how they’ve been treated by ministers when it comes to travel. It’s astonishing how the Government think they are above the law and can create rules for themselves.”

Other people were angry with the minister for the potential environment consequences, as well as for following different rules from the general public:

While some defended him and said his journeys were essential:

A government spokesperson told the Daily Mail that Mr Sharma had hosted many video calls but that it was important that he met world leaders in person ahead of the climate summit.

“Sustainability will be at the core of Cop26,” the spokesperson said. “The UK will be offsetting all carbon emissions associated with running the event and working closely with sustainability experts to make this happen.”

The public will be the judge of that.