Global warning: politics is about to get truly ugly as Sunak pollutes climate change debate
Its the unlovely Australian political tactic devised to bludgeon voters into submission on immigration, crime and climate, writes Alan Rusbridger . Heres why wedge issues are what the PMs North Sea oil strategy is really about Sunak had the chance to show genuine leadership on this issue. He could have tried for consensus, and sought to take people with him. But he fluffed it I t was one of the oddest and most hopeful meetings of my life. In one chair sat a very big cheese in an international petrochemical company lets call him Oil Man. A few feet away sat two hardcore Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters. No one threw orange powder, or glued themselves to the floor. Something much more interesting happened: they talked. Id run into Oil Man a few weeks earlier at his London HQ, which at the time was under raucously noisy siege by XR activists. Oil Man (wed agreed the meeting was off the record, hence my coyness) surprised me. Thing is, I agree with most of what theyre saying. But how on earth can we ever talk? Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Sunak had the chance to show genuine leadership on this issue. He could have tried for consensus, and sought to take people with him. But he fluffed it Getty/PA Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}