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General election: leaders stake out climate credentials in Channel 4 debate – live news General election: leaders stake out climate credentials in Channel 4 debate – live news
(31 minutes later)
Boris Johnson replaced by melting ice sculpture in debate on Channel 4 discussing climate crisisBoris Johnson replaced by melting ice sculpture in debate on Channel 4 discussing climate crisis
The BBC is demanding the Conservatives take down Facebook adverts featuring footage of its journalists Laura Kuenssberg and Huw Edwards, arguing that their inclusion could damage perceptions of the corporation’s impartiality.
The paid-for advert uses footage of the BBC’s political editor and the News at Ten host to argue that chaotic debates over Brexit can be avoided if people vote Conservative.
The move is in common with other intentionally provocative stunts pulled by the Conservatives during this campaign, such as rebranding their press office Twitter account as a fact checker.
Read more from the Guardian’s media editor, Jim Waterson, below:
15-year-old Izzy Warren, the climate change activist from West London who confronted Michael Gove as he arrived at Channel 4 earlier, has spoken to the Guardian.“I just saw a really good opportunity to find out why Boris Johnson, the current prime minister, doesn’t view my generation’s future as a priority, why he doesn’t think it deserves his time,” she said.“I asked Gove why, if the Conservatives think this is a priority, the prime minister wasn’t here today,” said Warren. He told her that it shouldn’t matter who was there to speak and that they had the most ambitious manifesto ever on climate change.
“This is a party that has been in power for ten years and we haven’t seen climate action,” she said.Asked if he looked surprised, she added: “I think older men, quite frankly, aren’t used to being challenged by teenage girls. Which makes it all the more fun when you get to do it.”
Here is video footage of Michael Gove getting confronted by Warren outside the Channel 4 studios in London:
Green party deputy leader, Amelia Womack, echoed Gruffydd’s frustration with the main parties.
Speaking backstage, she said that it was frustrating to see parties who had been in government and opposition and who had previously taken no action, “feeling the time is now” to say it is their priority.
She acknowledged that it was a welcome development that there was a TV debate on the subject. “It was only 2017 when [Green MP] Caroline Lucas was walking around Westminster with a big green question mark asking where the environment was in the public debate and just a few years later it’s become a central topic that parties are going to get held to account for.”
Llyr Gruffydd, a Plaid Cymru Welsh assembly member for north Wales, was watching the debate from backstage.
“It always riles me to hear Jeremy Corbyn making these promises when we’ve had twenty years of Labour governments in Wales,” he said. “They are getting away with that all the time. In places where they have the power to affect that change, we’re just not seeing it.”
He repeated criticism by the party’s leader Adam Price of Labour’s plans to nationalise the gas grid. “They are going to pump tens of billions of pounds into buying infrastructure that they are effectively going to mothball and that’s money that they could actually invest in renewable energy. That’s questionable.”
Gruffydd described the suggestion that Channel 4 had conspired with Jeremy Corbyn to block the Conservatives from the debate as nonsense. “It’s so Cummings-eque,” he said. “It’s exactly the kind of thing we’ve learned to expect from the Tories. If they can’t engage in the debate then it’s toys and prams stuff.”
Conservative party chairman James Cleverly and Channel 4 News editor Ben de Pear have shared a frank exchange of opinion on twitter:
A Conservative party spokesperson has accused Channel 4 of bias.
“We are deeply disappointed that Channel 4 News has conspired with Jeremy Corbyn to block the Conservatives from making the case for tackling climate change and protecting the environment in this evening’s debate,” they said.“Under this Government the UK was the first advanced economy in the world to legislate for a net zero target and we’ve reduced emissions faster than any other advanced economy while continuing to grow our economy. Broadcasters have important responsibilities to present a balanced debate representing all parties, and Michael Gove was well qualified to represent the Conservative position at this evening’s debate.”
Michael Gove was turned away from the debate, which was for party leaders only, after Boris Johnson refused to attend.
The Conservatives are now threatening to review the channel’s broadcasting remit after it decided to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during the debate.
This from Holly Gillibrand, a 14-year-old FridaysForFuture activist in Scotland on the climate debate:
Michael Gove, who attempted to replace Boris Johnson in the Channel 4 climate debate, was confronted at the channel’s London studios by a 15-year-old climate activist.Michael Gove, who attempted to replace Boris Johnson in the Channel 4 climate debate, was confronted at the channel’s London studios by a 15-year-old climate activist.
As he was turned away from the debate after being told it was for party leaders only, he was confronted by Izzy Warren, who lambasted the prime minister’s failure to attend.As he was turned away from the debate after being told it was for party leaders only, he was confronted by Izzy Warren, who lambasted the prime minister’s failure to attend.
She told him: “What young people think is Boris Johnson’s showing up to discuss Brexit, he’s showing up to discuss all these other issues.She told him: “What young people think is Boris Johnson’s showing up to discuss Brexit, he’s showing up to discuss all these other issues.
“And actually he’s not here to talk about the climate. He’s not here to talk about what is ultimately the most pressing issue.”“And actually he’s not here to talk about the climate. He’s not here to talk about what is ultimately the most pressing issue.”
Michael Gove - a former environment secretary - replied: “I’m here. I can talk about it.”Michael Gove - a former environment secretary - replied: “I’m here. I can talk about it.”
You can watch the exchange in full below:You can watch the exchange in full below:
An update on the attempt by the Conservative party to have Michael Gove take Boris Johnson’s place in the Channel 4 leaders’ climate debate, which was rejected:An update on the attempt by the Conservative party to have Michael Gove take Boris Johnson’s place in the Channel 4 leaders’ climate debate, which was rejected:
Watching the debate in “the spin room” the prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, insisted that Gove had been “absolutely geared up to represent the Conservative party and the prime minister”.Watching the debate in “the spin room” the prime minister’s father, Stanley Johnson, insisted that Gove had been “absolutely geared up to represent the Conservative party and the prime minister”.
“Michael Gove would have made a big, big contribution,” he said, adding that he suspected the other party leaders had realised that the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster “would have wiped the floor with them”.“Michael Gove would have made a big, big contribution,” he said, adding that he suspected the other party leaders had realised that the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster “would have wiped the floor with them”.
Moving away from the climate debate, the SNP candidate for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, a key SNP target seat defended by Corbyn ally Lesley Laird, has been stripped of his candidacy over alleged anti-Semitism.Moving away from the climate debate, the SNP candidate for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, a key SNP target seat defended by Corbyn ally Lesley Laird, has been stripped of his candidacy over alleged anti-Semitism.
Neale Hanvey, who was widely expected to win the seat, has been stripped of his candidacy and suspended from the party pending disciplinary action.Neale Hanvey, who was widely expected to win the seat, has been stripped of his candidacy and suspended from the party pending disciplinary action.
Read the full story from our Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, here:Read the full story from our Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, here:
Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said the invitation for Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come and debate the climate emergency “remains open”.Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said the invitation for Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come and debate the climate emergency “remains open”.
In concluding the climate debate, Mr Guru-Murthy said: “Thank you to all our party leaders who came tonight. Thank you also to Michael Gove from the Conservative Party who did come here, but sadly, as we made clear from the start, this debate was for leaders only and our leaders were only prepared to debate other leaders.In concluding the climate debate, Mr Guru-Murthy said: “Thank you to all our party leaders who came tonight. Thank you also to Michael Gove from the Conservative Party who did come here, but sadly, as we made clear from the start, this debate was for leaders only and our leaders were only prepared to debate other leaders.
“Our offer to Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come here and discuss the climate emergency remains open.”“Our offer to Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to come here and discuss the climate emergency remains open.”
The Tories have threatened to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit following the channel’s decision to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during the debate.The Tories have threatened to review Channel 4’s broadcasting remit following the channel’s decision to replace Boris Johnson with a melting ice sculpture during the debate.
Asked about his own personal resolution in relation to climate, Corbyn said: “I’m always the last one to turn the heating on. In fact, we turned it on for the first time last week in my house, and that was very low temperature anyway, and I turned it off pretty quickly after that.Asked about his own personal resolution in relation to climate, Corbyn said: “I’m always the last one to turn the heating on. In fact, we turned it on for the first time last week in my house, and that was very low temperature anyway, and I turned it off pretty quickly after that.
“I’m quite miserable actually on this basis, because I don’t like to see the waste of energy that goes with it.”“I’m quite miserable actually on this basis, because I don’t like to see the waste of energy that goes with it.”
Corbyn also said he grows plants in his garden and allotment.Corbyn also said he grows plants in his garden and allotment.
Berry was the last leader asked, and she said that so many pledges “end up on a dusty shelf”, adding: “I just cannot sit back and watch this happen again. Greta Thunberg is only a teenager, she’s already sick of hearing broken promises.Berry was the last leader asked, and she said that so many pledges “end up on a dusty shelf”, adding: “I just cannot sit back and watch this happen again. Greta Thunberg is only a teenager, she’s already sick of hearing broken promises.
“Think how I feel at my age.”“Think how I feel at my age.”
The leaders were asked what their personal climate change resolutions are.The leaders were asked what their personal climate change resolutions are.
Sturgeon said that at home, her energy provider is one that gets all its energy from renewable sources, adding that she is trying to fly less.Sturgeon said that at home, her energy provider is one that gets all its energy from renewable sources, adding that she is trying to fly less.
“Sometimes it’s inescapable in the job that I do, but trying to use the train much more when I come to London, as I did today for example,” she said.“Sometimes it’s inescapable in the job that I do, but trying to use the train much more when I come to London, as I did today for example,” she said.
Sturgeon also said she is “much more conscious” about what she eats and where her food is sourced from.Sturgeon also said she is “much more conscious” about what she eats and where her food is sourced from.
Swinson mentioned a keep cup and recycling, and pointed out that her campaign bus is electric.Swinson mentioned a keep cup and recycling, and pointed out that her campaign bus is electric.
Price said he plans to start cycling and will shift to an electric vehicle in the new year, adding: “I convinced my partner as well we’re going to give a go with reusable nappies as well to make our own small but important contribution.”Price said he plans to start cycling and will shift to an electric vehicle in the new year, adding: “I convinced my partner as well we’re going to give a go with reusable nappies as well to make our own small but important contribution.”
Sturgeon said Scotland’s transition away from fossil fuels needs to accelerate.Sturgeon said Scotland’s transition away from fossil fuels needs to accelerate.
She said: “We’re in the transition away from fossil fuels, and that transition has to accelerate.”She said: “We’re in the transition away from fossil fuels, and that transition has to accelerate.”
On the need for decarbonisation of the gas grid, Sturgeon added: “There’s not enough priority being given to that by the current UK government and I hope that changes after the election.”On the need for decarbonisation of the gas grid, Sturgeon added: “There’s not enough priority being given to that by the current UK government and I hope that changes after the election.”
Price also pledged that Plaid Cymru would invest £5bn in retrofitting homes.Price also pledged that Plaid Cymru would invest £5bn in retrofitting homes.
FactcheckFactcheck
Claim: Jeremy Corbyn is promising to plant 2bn trees by 2040Reality: The government must already adhere to the Committee for Climate Change target of 1.5bn trees by 2050. Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge is for more trees in 20 rather than 30 years. This means 100m trees must be planted a year to expand woodland and make up for losses. This is ambitious, but is not impossible and not out of synch with what experts say.Claim: Jeremy Corbyn is promising to plant 2bn trees by 2040Reality: The government must already adhere to the Committee for Climate Change target of 1.5bn trees by 2050. Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge is for more trees in 20 rather than 30 years. This means 100m trees must be planted a year to expand woodland and make up for losses. This is ambitious, but is not impossible and not out of synch with what experts say.
FactcheckFactcheck
Claim: Nicola Sturgeon said that last year 85% of the UK’s tree planting took place in Scotland.Claim: Nicola Sturgeon said that last year 85% of the UK’s tree planting took place in Scotland.
Reality: That is correct but the Scottish government has repeatedly failed to meet its national tree-planting targets, set at 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) a year from 2010.Reality: That is correct but the Scottish government has repeatedly failed to meet its national tree-planting targets, set at 10,000 hectares (24,700 acres) a year from 2010.
Official data shows that from 2010 to 2017, Scotland’s planting rate averaged 6,800 hectares a year, well below target. Of that, only 820 hectares was planted annually by Forest Enterprise, the government-funded forestry agency, and the rest by private companies or charities.Official data shows that from 2010 to 2017, Scotland’s planting rate averaged 6,800 hectares a year, well below target. Of that, only 820 hectares was planted annually by Forest Enterprise, the government-funded forestry agency, and the rest by private companies or charities.
The overall target was met for the first time last year, when 11,200 hectares were planted.The overall target was met for the first time last year, when 11,200 hectares were planted.
Sturgeon’s government has agreed to greatly increase tree planting in line with recommendations from the UK committee on climate change, which says Scotland can reach net zero five years early than the UK as a whole partly because it has much greater scope for tree planting. However, the Scottish government has yet to decide on how to do so.Sturgeon’s government has agreed to greatly increase tree planting in line with recommendations from the UK committee on climate change, which says Scotland can reach net zero five years early than the UK as a whole partly because it has much greater scope for tree planting. However, the Scottish government has yet to decide on how to do so.
Mr Corbyn said everything possible must be done to reach a 2030 net zero emissions target.Mr Corbyn said everything possible must be done to reach a 2030 net zero emissions target.
The Labour leader said: “I think we have to do everything we can to get to a 2030 net zero emissions target and we do that by investment in green energy jobs, solar, wind and wave power, we do that by creating jobs and transforming our energy consumption, by retrofitting homes to make them environmentally sustainable.”The Labour leader said: “I think we have to do everything we can to get to a 2030 net zero emissions target and we do that by investment in green energy jobs, solar, wind and wave power, we do that by creating jobs and transforming our energy consumption, by retrofitting homes to make them environmentally sustainable.”
He added: “I want to host COP26 next year to go further than Paris, so we can be leaders on the world stage in setting the agenda of achieving this degree of sustainability by 2030.”He added: “I want to host COP26 next year to go further than Paris, so we can be leaders on the world stage in setting the agenda of achieving this degree of sustainability by 2030.”
Ms Sturgeon added that Scotland’s targets are “the toughest in the world” and that they are going “beyond what the Committee on Climate Change has said”.Ms Sturgeon added that Scotland’s targets are “the toughest in the world” and that they are going “beyond what the Committee on Climate Change has said”.
Also calling for the 2030 target, Mr Price said it was a shame that Labour’s manifesto only pledged to get “the majority” of emissions down by 2030, and called on a future UK government to “show the same level of ambition” as other countries.Also calling for the 2030 target, Mr Price said it was a shame that Labour’s manifesto only pledged to get “the majority” of emissions down by 2030, and called on a future UK government to “show the same level of ambition” as other countries.
Ms Swinson said Liberal Democrats “believe it is absolutely possible to get there by 2045”.Ms Swinson said Liberal Democrats “believe it is absolutely possible to get there by 2045”.
FactcheckFactcheck
Claim: Siân Berry, co-leader of the Green Party claims that pasture land used for meat need to be changed to reach carbon neutrality.Claim: Siân Berry, co-leader of the Green Party claims that pasture land used for meat need to be changed to reach carbon neutrality.
Reality: The government’s advisory Committee for Climate Change says a 20-50% reduction in beef and lamb pasture could release 3-7m hectares of grassland from the current 12m hectares in the UK.Reality: The government’s advisory Committee for Climate Change says a 20-50% reduction in beef and lamb pasture could release 3-7m hectares of grassland from the current 12m hectares in the UK.
Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price claimed that this did not mean fewer cattle because grass can bank carbon.Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price claimed that this did not mean fewer cattle because grass can bank carbon.
But the CCC found that un-needed grassland could instead grow forests and biofuels that would help to soak up CO2.But the CCC found that un-needed grassland could instead grow forests and biofuels that would help to soak up CO2.