Miliband says Reform UK ‘failing’ Doncaster after council in his constituency revokes climate emergency

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband has accused Reform UK councillors of “failing” Doncaster, after its councillors voted to revoke a “climate emergency” in his constituency.

The Labour MP’s comments come after the City of Doncaster Council, the local authority in Miliband’s own Doncaster North constituency, approved a motion to rescind a “climate emergency” declared in 2019.

He said in a statement: “This summer has shown the climate emergency is real and here. Reform can pretend it doesn’t exist, but it won’t change the heatwaves, droughts and wildfires.

“Action on climate is about putting solar panels on homes in Doncaster to lower bills and driving for clean homegrown energy to get us off high fossil fuel prices, driven by events like the war in Iran.

“By opposing climate action, Reform is failing today’s citizens of Doncaster and future generations.”

A Reform UK Doncaster spokesperson rebuked the Labour heavyweight insisting the decision in the council chamber on July 16, 2026, insisting the motion did not affect the authority’s “statutory environmental responsibilities”.

The spokesperson said: “Ed Miliband is wrong. Reform Doncaster did not vote against tackling climate change.

“The motion made it clear that the Council will continue to meet all of its legal duties on biodiversity, flood risk, air quality and environmental protection.

“Doncaster residents expect their Council to spend taxpayers’ money wisely, scrutinise policies properly and balance environmental ambitions with protecting jobs, food security and essential public services.”

Despite Miliband’s attacks being directed at Reform UK, the motion was proposed by Conservative councillor Cynthia Ransome.

Coun Ransome described the climate emergency as a “political and policy statement”, saying it was right to review the declaration after seven years.

The Reform UK majority on Doncaster Council largely voted to revoke the declaration. One of the party’s councillors, Isaiah-John Smith-Reasbeck, spoke against the rescission and voted against the motion.

Following the vote to rescind the climate emergency, Coun Reasbeck posted on X: “In July 2050 I will show my daughter how I voted today. I’ll let her judge my decision.”