Good point. As we head into a risky 2023, here is my counter query: how many times in a row does it need to be a risk before we can say “every winter”?
Again, language matters. You’re talking about every winter there are risks. And you’ve posted articles to support that. Great.
The poster I replied to specifically said this:
every successive winter brings the UK to almost-blackouts
That’s very different. That’s saying every winter the UK is almost entirely at a loss for power so much so that all or most of it are blacked out… every year! That’s patently not the case but this inflammatory rhetoric sounds good because it lays the blame on the feet of the Tories and draws a direct line between a near total lack of electricity in the UK and them. It’s not unfair to point out that this isn’t accurate.
I don’t think should associate your reasonable view that risks aren’t being mitigated year on year with the unreasonable and hyperbolic one the poster was making. It does your point a disservice.
Here’s how I would have put it:
every successive winter brings the risk that certain parts of the UK might suffer temporary blackouts for a short period of time
Again, still totally unacceptable that that might be the case. No part of the UK should be without power. But a lot less over the top than the original comment.
I love a good Tory bashing. It’s jolly good fun. But this is Daily Mail rant level of absurdity.
Improving public debate should surely start with representing fact?
Good point. As we head into a risky 2023, here is my counter query: how many times in a row does it need to be a risk before we can say “every winter”?
Great Britain faces rising risk of winter blackouts, system operator warns - Guardian, 2021 - https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/22/great-britain-faces-risk-of-winter-blackouts-system-operator-warns
What will happen if Britain has winter blackouts? - BBC, 2022 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63170747
Again, language matters. You’re talking about every winter there are risks. And you’ve posted articles to support that. Great.
The poster I replied to specifically said this:
That’s very different. That’s saying every winter the UK is almost entirely at a loss for power so much so that all or most of it are blacked out… every year! That’s patently not the case but this inflammatory rhetoric sounds good because it lays the blame on the feet of the Tories and draws a direct line between a near total lack of electricity in the UK and them. It’s not unfair to point out that this isn’t accurate.
I don’t think should associate your reasonable view that risks aren’t being mitigated year on year with the unreasonable and hyperbolic one the poster was making. It does your point a disservice.
Here’s how I would have put it:
Again, still totally unacceptable that that might be the case. No part of the UK should be without power. But a lot less over the top than the original comment.
Fair. No further argument from me.