Former Prime Minister Tony Blair had some harsh words of criticism over Government net zero policy this week — and his remarks have sparked a debate over the virtues of phasing out fossil fuels versus carbon capture.

Calling the current broad policy stance of moving away from fossil fuels, and asking people to change their lifestyles accordingly as "irrational”, Blair — in a report for his Tony Blair Institute — took full aim and called for a radical rethink.

The remarks have unsurprisingly caused a stir and driven a slew of predictably politicised headlines.

The Times cited the call for a reset as being “because people in developed countries are being asked to make financial sacrifices and changes in lifestyle that will make little difference”.

The Telegraph focused on his belief that “politicians must face inconvenient facts”.

The BBC, like many others, picked up on the quote about current PM Keir Starmer’s net zero plans being “doomed to fail”.

The Evening Standard carried Number 10’s swift rebuttal.

Meanwhile, on my social network feeds at least, and doubtless in pubs across the land, right-leaning voters were left with the awkwardness of having to acknowledge that Blair’s views on the topic were broadly aligned with theirs. Even Nigel Farage doffed his cap.

It was an unprecedented and dramatic move. And one that will likely lead to pressure being put on British companies that have set out assertive net zero goals and committed to green investments to justify their strategies. There’s also a risk of being dragged into an increasingly politicised and polarised debate over how fast and far society wants to change.

They can always refrain from comments and play the long game. But, such a fundamental difference of opinion with Government policy, even from a former PM who hasn’t been in the job for almost 20 years, is likely to fan the flames of debate in ways that are difficult to ignore.

Yet the governmental response did bring into question whether current policy and the Blair view are quite that different. As Net Zero secretary Ed Miliband’s spokesperson pointed out, “the UK is already investing in carbon capture and AI technology for climate action”, and many of the main public investments are part of a plan to return the UK to sustainable growth.

Stronger words from Downing Street aimed to show that the PM was unmoved: “This is about the net-zero sector growing three times faster than the economy as a whole. We’re seizing these opportunities to drive growth, lower bills and boost living standards”.

Regardless, such a stiff and public rebuke of policy by a prominent former leader is likely to be held up by people opposed to the net zero drive, by those wanting a slower transition, and by those committed to it. Companies communicating their own goals, ambitions and investments will need to have their ears wide open to the public and political mood.