Flood-Hit Lincolnshire Constituents Clash with Reform MP Over Climate Stance
According to the Environment Agency, a staggering 91% of buildings in Richard Tice’s Boston and Skegness constituency are at some level of flood risk, the highest proportion in any English constituency. This alarming statistic underscores the severe flooding crisis gripping the region, with experts warning that climate breakdown could render some towns uninsurable and even lead to abandonment.
Residents' Frustration with Local MP
Audrey Crook, a 58-year-old full-time carer, vividly recalls the night her home was inundated. "The worst part of it was the smell," she says, describing black water contaminated with sewage that flooded her ground floor in January last year. Crook, who lives with her 20-year-old son, lost antique rugs and Indian silks, and she has yet to receive insurance compensation for her damaged contents. "My house now doesn’t look anything like it did before," she laments.
More than 30 properties on Wyberton West Road and Park Road in Boston were affected by the flooding, caused by heavy rain that overwhelmed river levels and breached defences. Despite this, many residents report that MP Richard Tice has not been in touch. "We’re still waiting for Richard Tice to turn up," Crook states. "Didn’t show his face. A lot of people were angry about that ... It’s his job. And if he can’t turn up, he can send a deputy, can’t he?"
Climate-Sceptic Views Under Scrutiny
Richard Tice, a prominent Reform UK MP, is a vocal opponent of climate action, frequently dismissing the UK’s net zero efforts as "net stupid." Just a month after the flooding in his constituency, he told Sky News that the concept of human-made climate change was "garbage." This stance has not resonated with some constituents. "I’m sorry, if they think climate change has got nothing to do with it, I think they’re seriously wrong," Crook asserts.
The tension reflects a broader issue for Reform UK, as polling indicates a disconnect between the party’s leadership and its voters. A survey by Hope Not Hate found that over half of Reform’s potential voters agree that climate change is human-caused. Alasdair Johnstone of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit notes, "We are seeing that, as people see first-hand the impacts of climate change on their lives, it does not sit well when they are told this is not happening – there is an obvious tension there."
Long-Term Impacts and Insurance Woes
Over a year after the flood, many residents are still rebuilding their lives, dealing with insurance claims and repairs. Andy Robinson, a local resident, expresses frustration: "It’s frustrating to have all of these public statements being made about ‘net stupid zero’ and things like that while not attending to residents’ needs when it comes to flooding."
Some homes have become "unmortgageable" due to flood risk, trapping owners in high-interest mortgages. A recent study by Public First and the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association identified Tice’s constituency as the "climate mortgage prisoner capital of England," with 8,600 homes at high risk by 2050. One anonymous resident reveals, "My insurance for the year – contents and buildings – is over £900 now."
MP’s Response and Council Actions
In response to criticism, Tice dismissed it as "politically motivated claptrap," arguing that even if net zero were achieved, flooding would persist for centuries. He emphasised practical measures like river maintenance, drainage systems, dredging, and sea defences. "My priority has therefore been to secure practical, immediate protections for residents," he said, citing meetings with the Environment Agency and affected constituents.
Meanwhile, Reform-led Lincolnshire County Council, which took over from the Conservatives in May 2025, has scrapped its net zero goal for 2050. Council leader Sean Matthews justified this by citing costs, stating, "I’m not prepared to use taxpayers’ money in a way that won’t benefit them." Despite government funding of at least £55 million for flood defences in the constituency, residents like Malcolm Fairweather feel neglected, noting "there’s been no follow-up" since the council change.
Cain Arathoon, Audrey Crook’s son, sums up the sentiment: "No matter how many times you’re going to try and say that climate change isn’t real, you can look to a street that’s been flooded and there’s your answer. We’re going to have to sort it out before it becomes irreversible."
