Episode description

Simon Moore is an environmental activist and science communicator from Leeds, in the UK. In this episode he chats to his local member of parliament (MP), Alex Sobel, about politics and the climate crisis.

Alex is MP for Leeds North West, Shadow Minister for Tourism, and Chair of the Net Zero All-Party Parliamentary Group.

The conversation covers how Alex got into politics and his views on political cronyism and corruption during the Covid pandemic. They discuss his hopes for COP26 and the private members' bill he helped to craft with Extinction Rebellion – the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.

They also discuss the controversial expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport, and approval of the first deep UK coal mine for more than 30 years, in Cumbria.

Simon also asks about the role of the new Mayor for West Yorkshire, which Labour MP Tracy Brabin is standing for in the upcoming local elections in May. And finally, Alex offers advice to activists who want to influence and work alongside their own elected representatives.

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You can follow @Simon_C_Moore and @AlexSobel on Twitter

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Music was provided by Tom Day

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