Is Reform UK A Climate Change-Denying Party? Here is what their candidates said...

 

John Edwards Reform UK Candidate
for Southampton Test
Photo: used with permission J Edwards

Reform UK have pledged to scrap the "net zero" targets, with their Leader Nigel Farage doing so in his interview with the BBC's Nick Robinson. Farage said that he was "not arguing the science". Reform have also pledged to bring immigration to "zero".

So if they pledge action on immigration, what are they pledging to do about climate change?

Or is a lot of "hype" as also mentioned by Nigel Farage? 

And do their candidates agree?

John Edwards, their Southampton Test candidate, said at a public event recently that:

"I think climate change is a bit of a hoax. It is a good excuse for governments to raise taxes. Tax you and me. Raise green levies."

Exercising his right of reply, Mr Edwards told us directly:

"I would go further to net zero and related subsidies [which] has costed the UK an estimated £2 trillion. Ditching this unaffordable mad eco policy would save the public sector up to £20 billion per year. With local services in a state of decay, this money would be better off being spent on maintaining and improving our services."

Meanwhile, in our exclusive interview with the Southampton Itchen Reform candidate, Alex Culley said when asked if Reform is a climate change-denying party:

Alex Culley Reform UK Candidate
for Southampton Itchen
Photo: used with permission A Culley

"I think you may have misunderstood that point, with the greatest of respect.

 At the beginning of our Contract, we say that climate change is a fact. The climate has always been changing since the dawn of time.

   Richard Tice made the analogy towards King Canute. Funnily enough we are sitting near Canute Road right now.

   Regardless of all this effort that we're putting in, to try and get what I call fractional gains in terms of limiting CO2 emissions. What we're saying is, we need to have an honest discussion about the cost-benefit analysis or the cost-benefits of some of the measures that we're undertaking.

    So I think in August last year, this is on the Internet so you can find it, there were about 1600 to 1900 scientists and professionals, two Nobel Prize winners included, who said look there is no 'climate emergency'."

Mr Culley was pressed further. You can read his full comments in our interview, with his views on Brexit, the death of the Conservative Party and more.

Why Southampton Independents Is Covering the 2024 General Election

Southampton Independents recommends no particular candidate in the 2024 General Election. We publish this information and the information about the other candidates to help inform Southampton residents for their vote, or for them to choose not to vote or to positively spoil their ballot by writing "none of the above". It's your choice.

The other candidates for Southampton Itchen, with their answers, are here. 

The other candidates for Southampton Test, with their answers, are here.