The Liberal Democrats have proposed that Andy Burnham convene a cross-party meeting to address the UK's response to worsening extreme weather, including the forthcoming 'super El Niño'. This comes after the prime minister chaired a Cobra emergency meeting on the drought earlier this month, but little has been said about the broader threats from five successive heatwaves since May, not to mention the anticipated global food shortages and inflation.

Pippa Heylings, the Lib Dem spokesperson for energy security and net zero, noted that Burnham has shown he can commit to discussing issues people care about, which is nice. However, she expressed bafflement at his silence on extreme heat: "What we have heard so far has been underwhelming. Banning disposable barbecues is good, but we need to see more." Heylings and Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, wrote to Burnham a fortnight ago proposing a meeting of UK party leaders to discuss long-term measures for protecting the country from climate impacts and building resilience. They've yet to receive a response, which is either a scheduling oversight or a statement.

Heylings contrasted Burnham's reluctance on climate with his prioritisation of social care, where he's sought cross-party support: "We want the same approach [to the climate]." She even suggested that leaders of Reform and the Conservatives, both of whom have vowed to scrap net zero and downplay the climate crisis, might join in to protect the UK. "I think there is not a single MP who would not want to show their constituents they were trying to prepare us [for the impacts of extreme weather]," she said, presumably with a straight face.

The forthcoming El Niño could bring more serious problems, Heylings warned. "The scale of this Super El Niño is unprecedented and will have impacts here in the UK exacerbating our extreme weather particularly with more intense flooding and storms over the autumn and winter. We're looking at a double whammy." Any cross-party approach should also address how to stop it worsening, not just brace for impact.

Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, backed the call: "It's the kind of politics we need." He argued that political cooperation is the start of consensus building, essential for any radical transition to take on vested interests. But Jon Pearce, Labour MP for High Peak, was less optimistic: "The idea the Conservatives and Reform UK would be willing to face up to the risks we face is for the birds." He accused them of ripping up the political consensus on climate change as they compete to downplay the need for action, refusing to see wildfires, drought, and pressure on water supplies right in front of their eyes.

Indeed, Reform and the Conservatives have broken sharply with the consensus on climate action, despite polls showing a large majority of voters support it. A Conservative spokesperson said: "We wouldn't speculate on hypothetical talks to which we have not been invited." Reform didn't respond to a request for comment, perhaps too busy drafting their next climate-denial tweet.

Hannah Spencer, a Green party MP, chimed in: "The climate crisis should be a priority across every sector of the economy and every government department. Greens have led this agenda for decades." A government spokesperson said: "The UK continues to be a world leader in tackling the climate crisis, accelerating the transition to clean power, and acting to protect people and places." They cited work with the National Drought Group, building nine new reservoirs, and investing at least £10.5bn by March 2036 for flood and coastal erosion schemes - presumably enough to keep the metaphorical (and literal) waters at bay.