Channel 4 u-turn gives Adam Price a slot in climate change TV leaders’ debate

Channel 4 have extended an invitation for Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price to take part in their Thursday night debate focusing on the climate crisis.

The hour-long Emergency On Planet Earth debate on Channel 4 will take place on Thursday at 7pm.

Initially, only Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Scottish First Minister National party leader Nicola Sturgeon, the Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson, and the co-leader of the Green party Sian Berry had been confirmed to be taking part.

Conservative leader Boris Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage had also been invited by Channel 4.

It is understood that Boris Johnson is refusing to share a debating platform with Nicola Sturgeon, and that Nigel Farage has “no faith that the broadcaster will conduct the debate in a fair and objective way”.

Plaid Cymru had previously criticised the decision not to invite Adam Price, with the leader himself saying that Channel 4 were trying to “silence” the party.

‘Defining challenge’

Plaid Cymru however welcomed Channel 4’s “change of heart” which meant that Adam Price would be included in its climate change debate.

“We’re extremely happy that Channel 4 have changed their mind, and have issued an invitation to Plaid Cymru’s leader, Adam Price, to take part in its pioneering climate change debate on Thursday,” a spokesperson said.

“The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time. That’s why Plaid Cymru has set out a plan for a Green Jobs Revolution to invest £20 billion in green collar jobs, tackling the climate emergency, making Wales 100% self-sufficient in renewable energy by 2030, and making Wales carbon-free and single-use plastic free.

“It’s also why we tabled a motion in the Senedd earlier this year declaring a climate emergency, and why our leader Adam Price was the first party leader to meet with Extinction Rebellion during this general election campaign.

“Our record on climate change and environmental issues speaks for itself. We’re looking forward to our leader Adam Price taking part in Thursday’s debate and showing that, for a sustainable Wales which takes the climate emergency seriously, it’s always us.”

Ben de Pear, the editor of Channel 4 News, said: “There is no more urgent issue facing the planet and we are delighted to open the whole of our programme for all the party leaders to show what plans they have to confront it.”

Presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy added: “It is a huge privilege to be hosting the people who want to run the country debating the most important issue in the world.

“How much do we need to change the way we live? Is it the end of fast fashion, fast cars, foreign holidays and red meat? Do any of them have a credible plan to cut our net emissions to zero?”