Reform UK's deputy leader Ben Habib has ignited fresh controversy within the party by publicly reaffirming his climate change scepticism, declaring that global warming poses 'no existential threat' to humanity.
The senior politician's comments come despite his party's official environmental policy acknowledging the reality of human-induced climate change, creating an apparent contradiction that has exposed significant internal divisions.
Defiant Stance Against Scientific Consensus
In a statement that puts him at odds with overwhelming scientific evidence, Mr Habib told Sky News: "Climate change is not an existential threat." He elaborated that while he accepts some human contribution to warming, he believes the planet has experienced similar temperature fluctuations throughout history.
This position directly challenges the consensus among climate scientists and environmental experts who have repeatedly warned about the catastrophic consequences of unchecked global warming.
Internal Party Tensions Surface
The deputy leader's comments have not gone unchallenged within his own party. Reform UK chairman Richard Tice found himself in the awkward position of having to publicly distance the party from his deputy's personal views while avoiding direct confrontation.
Mr Tice acknowledged the internal disagreement, stating: "We have a range of views within the party." However, he emphasised that Reform UK's official policy recognises climate change as real and partly human-induced, while opposing what the party considers economically damaging net-zero policies.
Historical Context of Climate Scepticism
This isn't the first time Mr Habib has courted controversy on environmental issues. During the 2024 general election campaign, he faced criticism for similar remarks that some commentators suggested were undermining the party's credibility.
The ongoing tension reflects broader debates within right-leaning political movements about how to address environmental concerns while maintaining scepticism about what they perceive as 'climate alarmism'.
Broader Political Implications
The public disagreement between senior Reform UK figures comes at a sensitive time for the party as it seeks to establish itself as a credible political force following its significant electoral gains.
Political analysts suggest that such visible divisions on fundamental policy issues could potentially hamper the party's ability to present a united front and develop coherent environmental policies that satisfy both sceptics and those acknowledging the climate crisis.
As the climate debate continues to evolve, Reform UK's internal tensions serve as a microcosm of the wider political struggle to balance environmental concerns with economic priorities and ideological principles.
