Richard Tice has been accused of being “completely out of touch with the public” after telling people concerned about global warming to stop being “doom and gloom”, as it could see an improvement in English wine.
The Reform UK deputy leader acknowledged climate change is “real”, but said there was no proof net zero policies would halt it – and to think it can be stopped is “arrogant”.
Instead, Mr Tice suggested the public should enjoy it when it gets warm, adding: “If it means that English wine and sparkling wine gets better and better, fantastic”.
The comments have been condemned by climate change campaigners, who said those affected by the ongoing drought and wildfires did not need him to “belittle their summer from hell”.
“As the public were forced to learn the word ‘firewave’ this summer, farmers faced yet another devastating harvest, and families struggled with overheating homes and school closures. But Reform UK’s deputy leader seems to have solved the issue: let’s just enjoy it,” James Sutton, co-director of Zero Hour, said.
“When almost 3,000 people have died from extreme heat, and what has felt like endless heatwaves may have cost the UK £4.4bn, Richard Tice’s comments are completely out of touch with the public. Politicians, regardless of party, have a duty to citizens and right now we need politicians who will stand up for and help protect communities, not belittle their summer from hell.”
Amy Cameron, Greenpeace UK’s programme director, said: “Reform should try telling nurses fainting on shifts, farmers losing their crops and people running from burning homes to enjoy the hot weather and see what reaction they’ll get.
“There’s only one way to stop this extreme weather: cutting emissions from fossil fuels.”
In July, the Met Office said that there were an estimated 2,700 excess deaths due to heat-related causes during the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales.
Of those, they estimated that 42 per cent “died as a result of the extra heat caused by human-induced warming”.
Asked by the Press Association whether he believes climate change is real and what the solution to solving it is, Mr Tice said: “Of course climate change is real, but where is the evidence that net zero is going to stop it? Where is the evidence? There isn’t any.
“Climate change has always happened, it always will. Maybe the smarter thing to do is to adapt to it, [rather] than think arrogantly you can stop it.
“I’m old enough to remember 1976 – this feels a bit the same. That was 50 years ago.
“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, fantastic. That means we can take on the French, fantastic.
“Let’s celebrate some of these things rather than just be sort of doom and gloom about it.”
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesperson, said governments should build more reservoirs to take advantage of the wet winters.
Labour announced nine new reservoirs in 2025. The first of that tranche may be completed in 2036.
One that was previously under construction, Havant Thicket in Portsmouth, is due to open in 2031 and will be the first new reservoir in more than 30 years.
Mr Tice, who splits his time between the UK and the Middle East, drew a parallel with that region.
He said: “Where’s been the discussion about desalination plants that are used in other parts of the world very, very successfully?
“There’s not much water on land in the Middle East. They use desalination plants. We’re surrounded by water. If it’s too difficult to build a reservoir, let’s look at desalination plants.
“It’s a can-do, business-like, get-stuff-done attitude that this country needs in order to get us out of the mess we’re currently in.”
On Friday, The Guardian reported that Thames Water is preparing to restart the UK’s only desalination plant, but it will not be ready until the winter.
The Thames Gateway plant in Beckton, east London, has only been used a handful of times since it was first opened around 15 years ago.
