Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The UN Security Council rejects a Russian-Chinese draft resolution to postpone the reimposition of sanctions on Iran.
Chinese delegate to the Security Council: The Israeli-American attack on Iran's nuclear facilities made things very difficult.
Russian envoy to the UN Security Council: Iran takes all concerns into account and is ready to cooperate.
Russian delegate: Iran expressed its willingness to dialogue, but Washington refused. This is not diplomacy, but rather deception and fraud.
Russian UNSC representative: Iran has proven itself to be a wise party and has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the IAEA, as was the case in the Cairo Agreement.
UN Security Council is considering a Russian-Chinese draft resolution calling for a postponement of the reimposition of sanctions on Iran.
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran: Iran and Russia sign $25 billion agreement to build four nuclear power plants
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in the Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon: Israeli airstrikes targeted the vicinity of the town of Nabi Sheet in the al-Shaara heights
Yemeni Ministry of Health: The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the capital, Sanaa, has risen to 9 martyrs, including two women and four children, in addition to 174 injuries, including 35 women and 59 children, in a non-final toll
War Sec Hegseth ordered hundreds of the US military’s generals and admirals to gather on short notice, at a Marine Corps base in Virginia next week.

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

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 14 Aug 2025 14:21
3 Min Read

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.

Listen
  • x
  • 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)
    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.

Read more: Climate whiplash: Extreme weather patterns disrupt major global cities

Related News

Britain poised to formally recognize Palestine on Sunday

'Israel' bans entry of two Labour MPs on West Bank parliamentary visit

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.

Read more: Microplastics found in 99% of seafood, study reveals

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.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Al Mayadeen English (@arenas.tv)

  • UK
  • United Kingdom
  • Heatwave
  • Europe
  • Labour Party
  • energy
  • UK heatwave
  • Tory Party
  • climate

Most Read

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
The poster published by Al-Qassam Brigades, showing all the Israeli captives left in Gaza, September 20, 2025 (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam releases captives 'farewell photo' amid Gaza City operation

  • Politics
  • 20 Sep 2025
27 wounded in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

27 wounded Israelis in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
'Israel' drone strike wipes out family in South Lebanon, 3 kids killed

'Israel' drone strike wipes out family in South Lebanon, 3 kids killed

  • Politics
  • 21 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order regarding TikTok in the Oval Office at the White House, Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank,' Trump claims

Alaa Hassanein carries the body of his 4-year-old niece, Sara Hassanein, who was killed in an Israeli military strike on a school used as a shelter, outside Al-Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 (AP)
Health

Civilians in Gaza sustain war injuries at rates beyond combat troops

The Capitol is seen during rainy weather in Washington, Thursday, September 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Democratic support for 'Israel' shifts amid war on Gaza, 'annexation'

Former FBI Director James Comey, with his attorney, David Kelley, right, speaks to reporters after a day of testimony before the House Judiciary and Oversight committees, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 (AP)
Politics

Ex-FBI chief, Trump critic James Comey indicted on 2 charges

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS