All 30 Reform UK councillors in Walsall voted against an amendment stating that man-made climate change exists, as the council moved to scrap its net zero targets. The vote took place at a public meeting on July 27, where the amendment was proposed by Councillor Aftab Nawaz of Walsall Community Independents.
Amendment rejected by all Reform members
The amendment read: "as the earth is round, man-made climate change exists." It was opposed by every Reform UK councillor present, as well as one former Reform member. The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached all 30 councillors who voted against the amendment for comment, but only leader Councillor Elaine Williams and deputy Councillor Nicky Barker responded.
Neither councillor confirmed their personal position on man-made climate change. Councillor Barker said: "I don't want to get drawn into debating whether climate change is man-made or not." Instead, she argued that the council should focus on practical environmental measures.
Focus on practical improvements
Reform councillors advocated for scrapping what they called "unrealistic net zero targets" in favour of tangible local actions. Councillor Barker emphasised the need to concentrate on "cleaner streets, cleaner rivers, reducing litter, protecting green spaces, and planting more trees." This approach, she suggested, would deliver more immediate benefits to Walsall residents than distant carbon reduction goals.
The decision has drawn criticism from opposition councillors. Councillor Aftab Nawaz, who proposed the amendment, said: "The refusal of Reform UK to accept that man-made climate change exists shows the borough the wacky nature of the Reform UK party." His comments highlight the growing political divide over environmental policy in the council.
Net zero targets scrapped
The vote effectively ends Walsall Council's commitment to net zero targets, a decision that aligns with Reform UK's broader national stance on climate policy. The council will now shift its environmental efforts towards the practical improvements outlined by Reform members, such as street cleaning and river maintenance.
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions. Some support the focus on immediate environmental issues, while others worry that abandoning net zero targets could harm long-term sustainability efforts. The council has not yet published a detailed plan for how it will measure progress on the new priorities.
Lack of transparency raises concerns
The refusal of 28 councillors to respond to requests for their position on climate change has raised concerns about transparency. Critics argue that voters deserve to know where their elected representatives stand on such a significant issue. Councillor Barker's reluctance to engage in the debate may reflect a broader strategy within Reform UK to avoid being drawn into climate science discussions.
This local decision comes amid wider national debates about climate policy, with some political groups questioning the feasibility of net zero targets. However, scientific consensus maintains that human activity is a primary driver of climate change, a position supported by major global institutions.
Walsall Council's move could influence other local authorities in the West Midlands, particularly those with significant Reform UK representation. The coming months will show whether this decision leads to tangible environmental improvements or becomes a point of contention in future elections.
