The National Trust has been slapped down for "lecturing" the public on net zero, after it published a "manifesto" ahead of the next General Election.
The trust presented an "Election Policy Platform" outlining "the three minimum requirements any future Government should commit to".
It said it "wants action in three areas", calling for the renewal of nature, more action on net zero targets and legally targets on the number of heritage sites.
But hitting out at the National Trust, Lee Anderson said: "Brits expect the National Trust to protect our heritage, not lecture them on net zero.
"But Hilary McGrady is right to say we need long term strategies, not short-term politics like Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party.
"I look forward to seeing her endorse this Conservative government as we take the long term decisions for a brighter future."
The National Trust’s Director-General Hilary McGrady demanded the Government introduce policies to reach net zero by 2050 and reverse the decline of nature by 2030.
This comes just months after Sunak revealed that the Conservative Government will be watering down the UK's policies to reach net zero.
McGrady said: "The next general election will have a profound impact on all our futures. Nature and our climate are facing an emergency.
"The Trust has a long history of contributing to the challenges of the day: from the need for green spaces for Victorian city dwellers, to the post-war dissolution of country houses and collections, to the over-development of Britain’s coastline.
"This means acting as partner, friend and critic to governments, while never straying into party politics.
“The legal commitments to reach net zero by 2050 and reverse the decline of nature by 2030, require concerted action and we are looking for the policies to match.”
She continued: "We know the benefits of being in nature for people but there is unequal access to it.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The National Trust’s Director-General Hilary McGrady demanded the Government introduce policies to reach net zero by 2050 and reverse the decline of nature by 2030
PA
"We’d like to see the largest improvement in access to urban green space since the Victorian era.
"We need long-term strategy not short-term politics, and we know that there is huge public appetite to address these issues.
"Four in five voters believe that protecting nature should be a priority for policymakers.
“We have a great opportunity for the environment and the economy to work for each other and policymakers would be wise to see the connection, it isn’t a choice between the two."
