A prominent critic has accused UK-based carmakers of cynically “waving the union jack” by threatening British jobs in order to weaken a key climate law. The comment came after documents revealed the details of the industry’s lobbying against the ZEV mandate.
Tom Riley, who runs the newsletter that obtained the private submissions, condemned the tactic. He stated, “Carmakers love to wave the union jack when it suits them, but threatening UK jobs and investment to weaken climate policy is a cynical tactic.”
His comments reflect the frustration of campaigners who saw the industry’s warnings as a self-serving strategy. The documents show companies like BMW, which is German-owned, and JLR, which is Indian-owned, framing their arguments around the potential harm to their British workforces and manufacturing footprint.
The industry maintains that its concerns were genuine and that the policy changes were necessary to protect the UK’s automotive sector. However, the episode has left a sour taste for many who believe national identity and job security were used as bargaining chips in a corporate battle against environmental regulation.