Reform UK Conference Reveals Deep Divide Over Climate Policy

On the second day of the Reform UK conference in Birmingham, deputy leader Richard Tice addressed delegates amid a banner reading “Collect £5m, burn the planet,” which was quickly removed. Tice praised the summer’s five successive heatwaves and record drought, while many attendees echoed climate-skeptical sentiments and criticised the government’s response to extreme weather.

The Guardian

Attendees expressed a range of positions. Jeanette Bowden of Bexley said she enjoyed the heat, while her partner claimed past CO2 levels were ten times higher during ice ages, dismissing a human role. Yvonne dismissed climate predictions, and Nicholas argued for widespread air-conditioning in public buildings. Facility manager Mark Henderson suggested relaxing health-and-safety rules during heatwaves. Political economist Michael Jacobs noted that the party’s “myths and lies” create incoherent voter expectations, pointing out the paradox of supporting adaptation without emissions cuts.

The Guardian

Despite leadership rhetoric, a poll taken last year indicated that about 70 % of Reform supporters favour higher taxes on fossil fuels. Separate polling shows Reform voters are less likely to deny climate science than party leaders, with roughly a quarter still backing the net-zero target. These figures contrast sharply with the leadership’s push to scrap the North Sea windfall tax.

The Guardian

Labour climate minister Katie White criticised Reform’s stance as “outright climate denial” and urged the party not to turn climate change into a culture war. She highlighted government investments in flood defenses, coastal protection, and wildfire response, and called for Britain to lead in developing climate-friendly technologies.

The Guardian

• “I enjoyed the heat this summer,” — Jeanette Bowden, of Bexley

The Guardian

• “They told us Norwich would be underwater by now and it’s not Atlantis yet.” — Ed Rennie, a former Labour councillor from north London

The Guardian

• “That might be good in winter, but in summer it must be too hot, you can hardly open them. The government should not force this on people.” — Yvonne

The Guardian

• “The government were all on their holidays in the summer, not doing their jobs [to help people during the heatwaves]. Government should ensure there is clean water and sewage, but they’re not even doing that.” — Nicholas

The Guardian

• “They’re not preparing us at all, they’re just wasting resources.” — Beryl Kingsbury

The Guardian

• “It’s really incoherent to be in favour of adaptation but not [cutting greenhouse gas emissions], but it’s not surprising people think that, given what they’ve been told,” — Michael Jacobs

The Guardian