Surely we agree that XR protests have achieved some success?

IN response to Jonathan Hucker’s recent letter in the Post, I will start off by stating that I do not consider myself an Extinction Rebellion (XR) supporter.

It is more accurate to say that I fully sympathise with their concern, which I share about the climate emergency, but differ with them when it comes to methods to address this and protest.

XR’s methods are often controversial and foolhardy. But Mr Hucker seems to miss the point of them. We are discussing XR and their cause, are we not? In that way he has to acknowledge that they have in part achieved some success.

We seem to both agree that their cause is valid. Especially in this city where particle pollution exceeds World Health Organisation (WHO) limits.

Naturally, I do care about the natural flow of traffic and pedestrians in the centre. However, I care more about the particle pollution that effects the health of residents in Central Ward and citywide.

This means holding the Mayor to account about creating a meaningful Clean Air Zone.

I fear though that Mr Hucker is being disingenuous about the Conservative’s commitment to the environment. Much of the PM’s commitments are mere greenwashing superficial and unambitious as they are.

Our party has committed to achieve carbon neutrality five years before the Conservatives’ plans.

Furthermore, their decision to scrap the Green Development Bank introduced by Liberal Democrats during the coalition will hinder the development of renewable energy in the UK.

Zachary Barker

Liberal Democrat Council candidate for Central Ward