Labour urges Reform UK deputy leader to apologise to firefighters over heat remark

Bridget Phillipson, chair of the Labour Party, has urged Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice to apologise for his recent remarks encouraging the public to “enjoy” the summer’s extreme heat. The comments came after a series of severe wildfires that have forced widespread evacuations and destroyed homes across the country. Phillipson said the party’s stance on Reform’s net‑zero agenda has already alienated many voters, and that Tice’s tone was “inappropriate and insensitive” to those who have fought the fires.

Tice’s remarks, made this week on social media, were widely criticised by emergency services officials and community groups. Firefighters who have battled the blazes cited the lack of public support and the need for urgent action to address climate‑related risks. Labour’s call for an apology follows a broader debate over Reform’s environmental policies, with critics arguing that the party’s approach to net zero is too aggressive and politically damaging.

The Labour Party’s appeal for an apology underscores the growing pressure on Reform to address the public’s concerns about climate change and emergency preparedness. If Tice does not respond, Phillipson has indicated that the party will continue to highlight the disconnect between Reform’s rhetoric and the lived experiences of those affected by the recent wildfires.