Extinction Rebellion aiming for Christmas No 1 with new song urging listeners to fight climate change

Lyrics say we must act ‘before we’re all dead’ and accompanying video features Theresa May wearing a gas mask

Extinction Rebellion is aiming for a top slot in the Christmas music charts with a new song urging listeners to fight climate change “before we’re all dead”.

The protest group has teamed up with Bolton-based rock band The Jade Assembly for its first single, called “Time For Change”.

It will be released with a video featuring footage from the group’s activism around the world in the past six months, primarily focusing on its work in London.

The dystopian video will include doctored shots of the Houses of Parliament going up in flames, Downing Street flooded, and MPs including former Prime Minister Theresa May wearing gas masks.

Lead vocalist John Foster sings: “A time to look ahead and now a time before we’re all dead, come on, it’s time for a change. I need everyone to be with me and I need everyone in here tonight to be themselves, so come on.”

The band’s manager Mick Watson told The Times: “The Jade Assembly have always been passionate about the climate crisis and they penned this song out of frustration with the speed and the way our politicians dealt with the crisis. The song is a swipe at the politicians and a plea to other people to come on board, as the chorus says.

“Gail [Bradbrook, one of the founders of Extinction Rebellion] straight away agreed that it’s an anthem for them. She thinks it’s amazing, and she immediately got some footage together for the video.”

“Time For Change” will be released in December.