Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, has dismissed concerns about climate change by suggesting warmer weather might improve English wine. His remarks come as an estimated 2,700 people died from heat-related causes during the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales.
Tice's comments spark outrage
The millionaire politician said people should stop being so “doom and gloom” about climate change because warmer weather could produce better grapes. Critics say his comments show a wealthy politician insulated from the consequences of the heatwaves, which have caused homes to burn, crops to wither, and families to count the cost of an unprecedented punishing summer.
Reform UK claims to speak for working people, but Tice's remarks have been described as a caricature of the pampered establishment. When people are frightened about homes, jobs and lives, telling them to cheer up because the bubbly may improve is contemptible, according to the Voice of the Mirror.
Maternity unit suspension
In a separate development, the suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital has been called a damning indictment of deteriorating maternity services. Health chiefs said staffing shortages made the unit clinically unsafe, alarming expectant mothers across the region.
Women in labour must now travel to Exeter, despite poor public transport, patchy mobile coverage, summer traffic and long rural roads. Some have no car, and others face extra costs they can scarcely afford. Recruitment efforts are now being “redoubled”, but critics say they should never have been allowed to fall so far behind.
Alice Cooper's surprise appearance
In lighter news, rock legend Alice Cooper gave Scarborough shoppers a gentler surprise when he wandered through their local market, bought a tote bag and happily posed for pictures. At 78, the Godfather of Shock Rock, known for decades of guillotines, snakes and theatrical mayhem, can still turn an ordinary shopping trip into a show.
