Around 24 people gathered outside West Norfolk council on 2nd July to protest a Reform UK motion calling for an end to the council’s 2021 Climate Emergency declaration. The demonstration was organised by Extinction Rebellion King’s Lynn ahead of the council meeting, where councillors ultimately rejected the motion.
This protest follows the council meeting being postponed last week due to the extreme heat warnings from the Met Office.
The XR protest brought together members of local Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Green Party groups, as well as other members of the public. People from across West Norfolk coming together to express their support for forward-thinking climate policies.
Councillors from across the political divide joined forces during the meeting to speak against Reform’s motion, calling the proposal a “political stunt”, highlighting that it contained factual errors, and talked about the urgent need for more action to reduce carbon emissions to address climate change. The motion was defeated by 37 votes to 7.
Julia Irving of XR King’s Lynn said “there was a groundswell of passionate commitment to face the truth of the climate crisis and to take action, both on the street and in the council chamber.”
Since West Norfolk council declared a climate emergency in 2021, the impacts of climate change have only become more stark and obvious. This political move from Reform is clearly motivated by their financial interests. Reform UK has received £24 million from oil and gas interests, accounting for more than two thirds of its total income.
During the debate, Cllr Michael de Whalley, portfolio holder for climate change, noted that the cost to residents of the council’s climate policies is on average £3.38 per household per year, and that those on the lowest incomes are supported with 100% council tax relief.
Local Reform councillors did not respond to our invitations to the two screenings People’s Emergency Briefing we organised in King’s Lynn, a film which details expert briefings about the impacts of climate change on national security, food, health, economy and other areas. Following their defeat, we urge Reform councillors to inform themselves of the facts. Friends of the Earth have organised a screening of the film in Downham Market on 23rd July, booking available now.
