Heatwave politics: Could air conditioning become a UK election issue?

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Politico
Today 14:21

Rising UK heatwaves are fueling a political debate over air conditioning, with public opinion split along generational and regional lines, suggesting the issue could gain traction ahead of future elections.

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A police officer gives water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London, England, on July 18, 2022. (Matt Dunham/AP)

After four consecutive years of record-high temperatures, the UK’s relationship with extreme heat is shifting. Now, recent heatwaves across Europe have sparked calls for a national rethink on air conditioning, with advocates arguing it could improve living standards, boost productivity, and even aid the transition to net zero, according to Politico.

Polling by More in Common shows support for wider A.C. adoption has reached 43%, with stronger backing in Greater London and the East of England. As Britain faces more frequent hot spells, some campaigners warn that failure to address the issue could become politically costly.

Conservative MP Jack Rankin has called current rules on home air conditioning “ridiculous,” blaming outdated restrictions and “nanny state” attitudes. Meanwhile, Reform Party figures have accused the political establishment of waging a “war” on A.C. at the expense of public health.

On the other side, critics question the environmental impact of increased cooling, while some policymakers see air-to-air heat pumps, capable of both heating and cooling, as a greener alternative.

As Politico notes, the debate has already taken hold abroad. In France, far-right leader Marine Le Pen has pushed for mandatory A.C. in public buildings, sparking controversy over energy use and climate commitments.

Energy, climate, and net zero considerations

While expanding A.C. usage will drive electricity demand, supporters note that peak usage occurs in summer, when solar generation is abundant. The Center for British Progress argues this alignment could stimulate renewable energy use while enhancing resilience during UK heatwave events.

Current planning rules require builders to exhaust passive cooling measures, such as cross-ventilation, before installing active systems like A.C. This makes installation in new homes costly and complex, especially in high-density urban areas.

The government’s boiler replacement scheme, offering £7,500 for air-to-water heat pumps, excludes air-to-air systems that can also cool homes. Ministers have suggested this could change, but no decision has been announced.

Public opinion and generational divides

Younger voters, who are more likely to live in recently built, heat-prone homes, tend to see heatwaves as a climate threat. Older voters, despite being more vulnerable to extreme heat, are less likely to prioritize A.C. as a political issue.

Polling by YouGov highlights this generational gap: 65% of 18–24-year-olds said they hoped a summer heatwave would not occur, compared to 44% of 50–64-year-olds who welcomed the idea.

As climate change intensifies, advocates say the political cost of ignoring A.C. policy will grow. Sam Dumitriu of Britain Remade called it “low-hanging fruit in policy,” arguing for urgent movement to prepare the UK for a hotter future.