Reform Party’s Deputy Leader Forecasts Labour’s Abandonment of Costly Net Zero Initiatives for Environmental Protection

Richard Tice, the Reform party’s energy spokesperson and MP for Boston and Skegness, has predicted that the Labour party will retract their commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions. According to Tice, Reform would withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement and terminate funding plans for developing countries to address climate change. Tice argues that it’s unrealistic to allocate £10 billion for climate aid when there are pressing domestic issues that require government intervention. He believes that Labour’s stance on net zero could be politically detrimental if energy bills do not decrease. Tice criticizes the government’s attempt to incorporate the costs of net zero into the spending review and deems the pursuit of renewable energy as expensive and ill-advised. He points to a recent Scottish by-election where Labour secured a seat with a thin majority as evidence of his party’s growing support. Tice anticipates that Labour’s retreat on net zero will be gradual, with Keir Starmer perhaps finding ways to delay or scale back clean power targets. Labour’s commitment to net zero has faced criticism from Conservative elements, media, and certain unions, with Tony Blair cautioning that current plans are insufficient. Despite internal dissent, Labour has shown a strong dedication to climate action, with Rachel Reeves’ recent spending review allocating over £60 billion to green initiatives. Critics argue that Reform’s plans would lead to job losses and increased costs, as renewable energy is cheaper than relying on fossil fuels. Reform’s energy policy is also aligned with Donald Trump’s calls for more North Sea fossil fuel production, which has been met with criticism from environmental groups.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/15/labour-will-drop-unaffordable-net-zero-policies-predicts-reforms-deputy-leader