Here we are in mid June 2026. England is entering its second heat wave of the season, one that may last through to the end of the month. Another El Nino is building rapidly, already being forecast to be a “super El Nino”, with whatever that entails.
This is the backdrop to our week in local politics, where our new Reform UK Council “undeclared” the climate and biodiversity emergencies. This gesture to undeclare was apparently to signal the end of “gesture politics”. Draw your own conclusions.
We sent a press statement in advance of the meeting, which became this story in the Wakefield Express. Needless to say, with the majority they have, they went ahead and undeclared the climate emergency and the biodiversity emergency. You can read the press report here.
This is our response:
Response to Wakefield Council cancelling the climate emergency
Today, Wednesday June 17th, Wakefield Council voted to cancel the Declaration of Climate Emergency. The council adopted this statement unanimously in 2019, including a vote in favour by present Council Leader Karl Johnson.
Stuart Boothman, Chair of Just Transition Wakefield made the following statement.
“Some of our members stood outside County Hall as members entered for the meeting, to speak to them about the motion and its implications. A small number of councillors stopped and engaged. Most walked past dismissively. We thank those who stopped to listen and talk, including the Mayor.
Many of our members watched the debate – a small number in the chamber, more online. We are all disappointed.
We acknowledge that the majority of cabinet members, with one exception, spoke sensibly about the motion and their reasons for bringing it. Sadly, listening to other speeches in support of the motion, it is clear that misinformation and misunderstanding about climate change was repeated in the council chamber.
Just Transition Wakefield is not a party political organisation. That is because climate change and the collapse of nature are not party issues. Both of these problems will affect all of our lives, no matter how old we are. This is of local, national and global importance, not a subject for mockery in council chamber or parliament.
There are some areas where we agree – the need for energy security and lowering energy bills for residents and businesses; the need for emergency planning and resilience; the absolute need for social justice and to future-proof the local economy.
Just Transition Wakefield has two responses to today’s vote:
- Firstly, we will examine closely all proposals and plans the council puts forward. We aim to make sure that Wakefield District does not miss out on investment that will strengthen our economy and improve lives. We aim to avoid costly mistakes like clinging on to outdated technologies.
- Secondly, we again offer to put on a screening of the National Emergency Briefing film for ALL elected members. We are happy to come to the Kingswood Suite, and we will bring cake. We await the call. Elected decision makers need to understand the issues.”
Ends
Just like the Climate and Nature Emergencies, we are not going away.