Herbert Crossman, a pensioner attending Reform UK’s party conference in Birmingham, expressed his views on climate change, acknowledging its reality while questioning the need for extreme measures to address it. The conference is expected to attract around 12,000 attendees over three days. Party leader Nigel Farage has described the characterization of carbon dioxide as a pollutant as “ridiculous,” while deputy Richard Tice has dismissed claims that human activity is the primary cause of the climate crisis.
Crossman noted the importance of reducing fossil fuel use but emphasized the limited impact of UK efforts unless larger emitters, like China, also take significant action. He supports increasing nuclear energy, highlighting initiatives from companies like Rolls-Royce to develop new reactor types.
Another member, Danny Skryme, expressed support for expanding nuclear energy facilities while opposing a full transition away from oil and gas, citing economic concerns tied to rising energy bills. Reform UK leadership also advocates lifting the moratorium on fracking instituted in 2019 due to concerns about induced earthquakes. However, some party members, like 37-year-old Charlie from Leeds, disagree, noting that the geological conditions in the UK differ from those in the U.S., where fracking has been more commonly applied.
Tensions have emerged between the Reform leadership and certain local council representatives regarding fracking feasibility. There are differing opinions on Ed Miliband’s role in energy policy, with some members blaming him for rising energy costs, though bills have been high prior to his tenure.
Throughout the conference, many attendees seemed to view high energy bills as a direct consequence of Labour’s policies while less consensus existed on strategies like fracking or further fossil fuel extraction as solutions. Overall, discussions focused heavily on energy policy and the challenges posed by existing climate change measures.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/06/drill-baby-drill-reform-uk-zero-in-on-ed-milibands-climate-policies