Liberal Democrats seek cross-party climate talks as extreme weather risks mount

The Liberal Democrats have called on UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to convene a cross-party summit of political leaders to address the country's worsening climate vulnerabilities. The request follows five successive heatwaves since May and growing concerns over a forthcoming super El Niño that threatens to exacerbate extreme weather across the nation.

Party leader Ed Davey and energy security spokesperson Pippa Heylings wrote to Burnham a fortnight ago proposing the meeting to discuss long-term resilience measures. Heylings noted a baffling silence from the prime minister on extreme heat, contrasting it with his recent push for cross-party cooperation on social care.

The political deadlock over climate strategy carries significant implications for European markets and investors, who are closely monitoring the UK's transition to clean power and infrastructure spending. With the government warning of global food shortages and inflation driven by climate impacts, uncertainty over long-term UK environmental policy could deter capital investment in green infrastructure and agricultural resilience.

Heylings warned that the unprecedented scale of the super El Niño will bring a double whammy of intense autumn and winter flooding and storms. She emphasized that any cross-party approach must extend beyond preparedness to address how to stop the crisis from worsening, a priority that should transcend traditional political divides.

Labour MP Clive Lewis backed the proposal, arguing that political cooperation is essential to build the consensus needed for a radical transition against vested interests. However, fellow Labour MP Jon Pearce expressed skepticism, warning that the Conservatives and Reform UK have ripped up the political consensus to downplay the need for climate action.

A Conservative spokesperson declined to engage, stating the party would not speculate on hypothetical talks to which they had not been invited. Reform UK did not respond to requests for comment, even though both parties have recently broken sharply with the established consensus on climate action despite strong voter support for the agenda.

Green party MP Hannah Spencer reiterated that the climate crisis must be a priority across every sector of the economy and government department. Meanwhile, a government spokesperson defended its record, citing investments of at least £10.5bn by March 2036 for flood and coastal erosion schemes, the construction of nine new reservoirs, and ongoing work with the National Drought Group.