Reform UK’s Richard Tice branded ‘out of touch’ for telling the public to ‘enjoy’ the heatwaves
"How out of touch do you need to be?"
Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice has been branded “out of touch” for telling the public to “enjoy” and “celebrate” the recent heatwaves.
As the UK emerges from its fifth heatwave so far this summer, and is set to have a sixth next month, Tice said at a press conference yesterday “when it’s a bit warm, let’s enjoy it.”
Tice said that “the smarter thing to do is to adapt to it [the extreme heat]” rather than “think arrogantly that you can stop it”.
The Reform politician said people should focus on the benefits of a warmer climate, such as better English wine.
“I think when it’s a bit warm, let’s enjoy it. And if it means that English wine and sparkling wine gets better and better then fantastic, that means we can take on the French. Fantastic,” he said.
He added: “Let’s celebrate some of these things rather than just be doom and gloom about it.”
Responding to Tice’s remarks, Danny Gross, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “If Richard Tice wants to live in a world of make believe, that’s his call. But telling people to enjoy the heat after the scenes we’ve seen in the last week… how out of touch do you need to be?
“Homes burnt to a cinder and the military drafted in after wildfires raged uncontrollably. Farmers at their wits end because weeks without rain have made for yet another brutal harvest.
“And the more than 1,000 lives needlessly lost during this summer’s heatwaves thanks to global heating. It’s an insult – particularly to their loved ones – to suggest the weather extremes we’re seeing are cause for celebration.
Gross also noted that Tice’s comments are at odds with Reform supporters’ views.
He said: “Last week, our polling showed 87% of people think the UK is unprepared for extreme weather events like heat and drought – including 81% of Reform UK supporters. Failing to acknowledge the real-world consequences of our changing climate may not be as easily forgiven as he thinks.”
Bridget Phillipson, the Labour Party chair, called the Reform MP’s comments “tone deaf”.
“Wildfires are affecting people’s lives. Drought threatens our water supplies and food security. All the while, Richard Tice is having a laugh.
“These comments raise serious questions about his judgement and expose where Reform UK’s interests really lie.”
Campaign group Labour Future wrote on X: “Kids sent home because classrooms were boiling, public services under pressure, water shortages and wild fires, harvest failures- but we should do nothing about all that according to Reform. Just sit back and enjoy.
“Ridiculous and frankly mad.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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