A group of environmental organizations and campaigners have written to the BBC to reprimand it for inappropriate questioning of the climate crisis during Monday’s Conservative leadership debate.
In the debate only one question was asked about the environment, and it put the onus on individuals and not on leaders to act on the climate.
Candidates were asked: “What three things should people change in their lives to help tackle climate change more quickly?” Rishi Sunak emphasized recycling while Liz Truss extolled the virtues of green technology.
In a letter, campaigners including Springwatch presenter Chris Packham said the question was “completely irresponsible” as it focused “on individual action rather than government action, when the aim of debate was to test the credentials of the candidates to be the next prime minister.” “.
The letter, also signed by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Greenpeace and the Green Alliance, said: “The purpose of a leaders’ debate is to question our future Prime Minister about his policy positions on vital issues so that the public can make an informed decision about which The candidate will do the best job for their country This question did not provide them with these answers.
“For this to happen at a time when the cost of living is driving millions into poverty, largely driven by fossil fuel prices and rising energy bills, is unacceptable.”
During the debate, as much time was spent discussing Sunak’s expensive dresses and shoes and Truss’ earrings as the climate crisis and the environment.
Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss face off in their first head-to-head TV debate – video highlights
Max Wakefield, campaign director for climate charity Possible, said: “In 2019, Possible campaigned for the televised leadership election climate debate because broadcasters were ignoring the severity of the climate crisis. Three years on, just has changed Instead of asking Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss how to fix the holes in their climate plans, the BBC asked what people can do at home.
“Prime Ministers are not elected as agony aunts – we don’t need to hear their national green advice any more than their personal wellbeing ideas for managing NHS waiting lists. What the public need to hear is how the next Prime Minister will tackle the climate crisis head-on.”
The letter calls on the BBC to improve its focus on the climate crisis in its leadership coverage over the coming weeks and to acknowledge that the debate question was inappropriate and the time allocation too short.
It also calls on the broadcaster to ensure that in future leadership debates, including before the general election, the climate crisis is treated as a matter of government and not purely personal responsibility.
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A BBC spokesman said: “We agree that climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing the next Prime Minister and it is an issue BBC News covers comprehensively.
“This debate was designed to quiz the candidates on their political differences, their character and the impact their prime minister would have on the lives of the general public and as such included a question specifically about change climate, formulated in the actions we can all take to mitigate its effects.
“We will continue to cover the leadership contest and question the candidates on their policies, including climate change.”