The deputy leader of the Reform UK party, Richard Tice, has been accused of being “completely out of touch with public sentiment” after he advised people concerned about global warming to stop being “gloomy and pessimistic” as warming could help improve English wine.
The deputy leader of Reform UK acknowledged that climate change is “real” but stated there is no evidence that the “net zero” emissions policy will stop climate change, calling the idea that it could be completely stopped “arrogant”. Instead, Tice suggested the public “enjoy” the warming, adding: “If it means English wine and sparkling wine are getting better and better, fantastic.”
These comments were condemned by climate change activists, who said that people affected by prolonged droughts and wildfires do not need him to “dismiss their hellish summer.”
Co-director of Zero Hour, James Sutton, noted that this summer the public had to become familiar with the term “fire wave,” farmers faced another devastating season for crops, and families suffered from excessive heat in their homes and school closures. “When nearly 3,000 people died from extreme heat, and endless heatwaves could have cost the UK £4.4 billion, Richard Tice’s comments are completely out of touch with public sentiment,” Sutton said. He added that politicians, regardless of party affiliation, have a duty to citizens, and now there is a need for those who will protect and help communities, not “dismiss their hellish summer.”
Program Director of Greenpeace UK, Amy Cameron, stated: “Reform Party should try telling nurses fainting on shifts, farmers losing crops, and people fleeing burning homes to enjoy the hot weather, and see what reaction they get.” She emphasized that there is only one way to reduce extreme weather events — cutting emissions from fossil fuels.
In July, the Met Office reported that an estimated 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during heatwaves in May and June in England and Wales. Of these, 42%, according to their estimates, “died as a result of additional heat caused by anthropogenic warming.”
Richard Tice’s position on climate change and adaptation
When asked by the Press Association whether he considers climate change real and what he thinks the way to combat it should be, Tice responded: “Of course, climate change is real, but where is the evidence that ‘net zero’ will stop it? Where is the evidence? There is none. Climate change has always happened and always will. Perhaps it is wiser to adapt to it rather than arrogantly think you can stop it.” He added that he remembers the year 1976, and the current situation is “a bit similar,” although 50 years have passed since then. “I think when it gets a bit warm, let’s enjoy it. And if it means English wine and sparkling wine are getting better and better, fantastic. It means we can compete with the French, fantastic. Let’s celebrate some of these things, not just be gloomy and pessimistic.”
Proposals for water supply and adaptation
Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, stated that governments should build more reservoirs to take advantage of wet winters. Labour announced nine new reservoirs in 2025, the first of which could be completed in 2036. One reservoir, Havant Thicket in Portsmouth, which was already under construction before last year’s government announcement, is set to open in 2031. It will be the first new reservoir in over 30 years.
Tice, who splits his time between the UK and the Middle East, cited this region as an example. He asked: “Where has the discussion of desalination plants, which are very successfully used in other parts of the world, been? In the Middle East, there is little water on land. They use desalination plants. We are surrounded by water. If it is too difficult to build a reservoir, let’s consider desalination plants.” He described his approach as “a practical, business-like approach focused on delivering results that this country needs to get out of the mess we are currently in.”
On Friday, The Guardian reported that the company Thames Water is preparing to restart the UK’s only desalination plant, but it will not be ready until winter. The Thames Gateway plant in Beckton, east London, has been used only a few times since it opened about 15 years ago.
