Party Conferences and Climate Change

The podcast discusses the recent party conferences and their focus on climate change. While party conferences are traditionally for party members, it's often hard to determine if they truly represent the party membership. The Prime Minister's recent announcement on net zero and the exploitation of oil and gas off the coast became a focal point of discussion. A poll revealed that people generally care about climate change and support net zero, but they also see other issues, such as cost of living, as more immediate concerns. The challenge for politicians is finding a balance between addressing climate change and the voters' more pressing needs. The podcast also explores the influence of party members in shaping party policies, such as housing targets, as demonstrated in the Liberal Democrat conference. However, the ultimate decision-making power lies with the party leaders, who tend to prioritize policies that will resonate with the broader electorate.