UK must adapt to changing climate, says Tice

The UK should “learn to adapt to the changing climate, rather than arrogantly think you can stop the power of the sun”, Reform UK’s deputy leader has said.

According to the Met Office, this summer is the hottest on record, with five separate heatwaves.

Ahead of the party’s national conference in Birmingham this week, Richard Tice was asked about climate change, including criticism he received for previously telling people they should enjoy the prolonged hot weather.

“I get criticised all the time, but it’s true isn’t it? People have enjoyed the warm weather,” he told BBC South East.

“I’m 61. I remember 1976, half a century ago, it was a similar summer day,” Tice added.

The 1976 heatwave saw a drought declared as temperatures peaked at 35.9C in Gloucestershire.

Fifty years on and the UK is fresh from a summer that saw 40 days of temperatures above 30C (86F), eclipsing the previous record of 34 days.

Clear that he will not “resile” from his comments that the hot weather improves the quality of English wine, Tice argued that climate change is nothing new.