Tom Greatrex: A political culture geared to crisis and why nuclear is the answer

In episode 15 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we welcome a person kept very busy during a global energy crisis: Tom Greatrex, CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association, which represents 250 companies across the nuclear supply chain in the UK. Tom is also a former Labour MP (2010 and 2015), and a highly respected Shadow Energy Minister. He is the vice chair of the Football Supporters Association and represents supporters on the FA Council.

As an advocate of nuclear power, he deconstructs the fear associated with nuclear power and demystifies major nuclear disasters, including Fukushima and Chernobyl. On the recent concerns around energy security, Tom says: “The best time to build a nuclear power station has always been about 15 years ago. The next best time is now.”

Talking about his time as an MP, Tom reflects on the current political culture and how it – along with a missing sense of purpose –prevents politicians from making good long-term decisions. With politics geared to 24-hour news and social media, creating an environment of short-termism, Tom advises leaders to think for the future.

Listen to White Swan with Tom for an insightful and fascinating conversation about nuclear, politics, and football – and the crisis management lessons behind them.