Labour demands apology from Reform UK over heatwave remarks
Party chair Bridget Phillipson criticises Richard Tice for joking about wine production while wildfires destroy homes, as debate intensifies over net zero policy.
Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson has called for Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice to apologise to firefighters following his comments urging the public to “enjoy” the current extreme heat. Phillipson stated that Tice’s remarks, which included jokes about improved English wine production, were inappropriate given the wildfires that have forced evacuations and destroyed homes across the country in recent weeks.
Tice made the comments during a press conference earlier this week as part of a broader critique of net zero policies. He suggested that warmer weather could benefit the domestic wine industry, stating that it would allow the UK to “take on the French.” He argued that the public should celebrate these changes rather than adopting a “doom and gloom” attitude.
Phillipson told The Guardian that Tice owes an apology to the firefighters who have been battling in extreme conditions, putting their lives at risk to protect communities. She described it as unfunny to crack jokes about sparkling wine while emergency services deal with the real-world impacts of climate change. Labour has amplified the controversy by releasing a video juxtaposing Tice’s comments with footage of homes destroyed in the Stourbridge wildfire.
The incident has intensified scrutiny on the government’s approach to climate policy. While Prime Minister Andy Burnham held a Cobra meeting last week to discuss the heatwave and drought, he has faced criticism from climate campaigners for limited public focus on the climate crisis. During a visit to the Stourbridge wildfire site, Burnham acknowledged the changing climate, stating that the UK needs to face up to the situation and increase clean energy production.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho delivered a speech on Wednesday criticising the government’s push to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. She argued that the UK should focus on making electricity cheap and allowing consumer choice to drive energy decisions. This stance aligns with Labour’s view that voters may be alienated by Reform UK’s increasingly strident attacks on net zero targets.
Ministers are expected to announce in the coming weeks whether they will approve two new giant oil and gas fields in the North Sea. Reform UK did not respond to a request for comment regarding the controversy.
