MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western has shared his thoughts on the new Prime Minister's plans, Reform-led Warwickshire County Council's vote to repeal the climate emergency declaration.

Mr Western shared: "Since I last wrote in these columns, Andy Burnham has become our Prime Minister and he has shared a series of welcome announcements.

"To start with, the £2 bus fare cap will come back from January 2027. A well received measure for the many who rely on our bus services every day to get to work, appointments, education and more.

"We've also seen the announcement that pubs, clubs and live music venues will receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills. As the Prime Minister has rightly said, these venues are the heart of communities across our country and we must continue to back them. I'm very pleased to see this announcement and hope it is welcome relief for the many excellent pubs and venues that will benefit across our towns and villages.

"It is less than two weeks into Andy's premiership, and these measures will help keep more money in people's pockets. I am looking forward to working alongside him and his team to raise our local issues and deliver for our communities.

"Last week, the Reform leadership at Warwickshire County Council lost a vote to repeal the climate emergency declaration at the council.

"While the Reform Council may believe that flooding is 'an act of God', virtually all scientists, who I tend to believe over Councillor George Finch, take a different view...

"We have seen incredibly high temperatures in recent weeks and months, with last month marking the hottest June in Britain since records began. Elsewhere, significant parts of Europe have been forced to evacuate their communities due to intense fires ravaging the countryside. In our own back yard, wildfires in the Cairngorms, Scotland, have pushed Police Scotland to declare a major incident.

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"The intensity of the current fires can't be put down to a single reason, but scientists are very confident climate change is playing a fundamental role. The rapid spread of wildfires has been helped in no thanks to dried out soils and vegetation. The scenes are awful and the disruption to the lives of so many is deeply distressing. As we see such obvious signs of climate change and the devastating impacts it can have, it is simply foolish, and a sign of immense ignorance, for the leadership at Warwickshire County Council to blindly follow the latest diktat from Reform HQ.

"Much credit is due to the councillors who voted down the flawed proposal and held Reform to account on this utter nonsense. Warwickshire deserves serious leadership, not whatever this is.

"As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any issues or concerns you would like to raise with me. I can be reached at [email protected] or on 01926 882006."