The Liberal Democrats have called on Andy Burnham to convene a cross-party meeting to address the UK's response to worsening extreme weather, including the forthcoming 'super El Niño'. The call comes after the UK experienced five successive heatwaves since May, drying up lakes such as Hollow Pond near Leytonstone in east London, and as the government has remained largely silent on broader climate threats.
Cross-party proposal and lack of response
Pippa Heylings, the Lib Dem spokesperson for energy security and net zero, said Burnham has shown he can commit to talking about issues people care about, but noted a "baffling silence" from him on extreme heat. She described the government's actions so far as "underwhelming," adding that while banning disposable barbecues is a positive step, more is needed.
Heylings and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey wrote to Burnham a fortnight ago, proposing a meeting of the UK's party leaders to discuss long-term measures to protect the country from climate impacts and build resilience to extreme weather. They say they have not yet received a response.
Heylings contrasted Burnham's reluctance to address the climate crisis with his prioritisation of social care, on which he has sought cross-party support. "We want the same approach [to the climate]," she said.
El Niño and its potential impacts
Heylings warned that the forthcoming El Niño could bring more serious problems. "The scale of this Super El Niño is unprecedented and will have impacts here in the UK exacerbating our extreme weather particularly with more intense flooding and storms over the autumn and winter. We're looking at a double whammy," she said.
She added that any cross-party approach should not be limited to discussing preparedness for extreme weather. "The key question is how do we stop it worsening?" she said.
Political reactions and support
Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, backed the Lib Dem call for a cross-party meeting. "It's the kind of politics we need," he said. "We may disagree on how we do it and how far we go, but political cooperation like this is the start of consensus building, something any radical transition has to build across both political parties and society, especially if they're to take on those vested interests that want the status quo to continue."
However, Jon Pearce, the Labour MP for High Peak in Derbyshire, expressed doubt that a meeting would happen. "The idea the Conservatives and Reform UK would be willing to face up to the risks we face is for the birds," he said. "The Conservatives and Reform UK have ripped up the political consensus on tackling climate change as they compete to see who can most downplay the need for action."
Pearce added: "They are refusing to see what is right in front of their eyes: wildfires, drought, pressure on water supplies and farmers facing growing challenges on food production. There should be political consensus on a matter of such national importance but sadly there is not."
Government and party responses
A spokesperson for the Conservatives said: "We wouldn't speculate on hypothetical talks to which we have not been invited." The Reform party did not respond to a request for comment.
Hannah Spencer, a Green party MP, said: "The climate crisis should be a priority across every sector of the economy and every government department. Greens have led this agenda for decades and welcome the consistently strong support shown by voters for all parties for bold climate action."
A government spokesperson said: "The UK continues to be a world leader in tackling the climate crisis, accelerating the transition to clean power, and acting to protect people and places from the impacts of climate change that are already being felt across the country." The spokesperson added that the government is working with the National Drought Group, building nine new reservoirs, and investing at least £10.5bn by March 2036 to construct new flood and coastal erosion schemes as extreme weather becomes more frequent.
