Ministers run the very serious risk of under-estimating the strength of feeling among Conservative voters on this issue.
I felt a rush of mixed emotions, including disbelief. But then came the realisation that Creecy’s announcement was a significant shift in thinking.
We have a tremendous opportunity to lead the response, and we must not cede any ground to a newly energised anti-environment lobby.
The new British Conservation Alliance will break the left-wing monopoly on environmental issues.
Part of settling down and marking time, as Roger Scruton would say, is protecting our environment. Doing so is an unchosen obligation upon us.
Some right-wingers would substitute the market for the Almighty – believing that legality, transparency and property rights can redeem our fallen world.
It risks real damage to conservation, animal welfare and livelihoods in Africa and beyond.