We see increasing polarisation in various parts of the world. The climate emergency is escalating. Political discourse seems to become increasingly uncivilised. What role can mediation, mediators and what we call interest-based negotiation play in political negotiations and policy-making? Can mediators offer a different way of doing things?

John Sturrock QC, founder and senior mediator at Core Solutions, and mediator with Brick Court Chambers, is a pioneer of mediation throughout the UK, with an international reputation. He mediates and trains in the commercial, professional, sports, public sector, policy and political fields. A Distinguished Fellow of the IAM and Visiting Professor at Edinburgh University, he has facilitated talks on climate change and constitutional relations in the UK and is founder of Collaborative Scotland.