On Saturday, Zia Yusuf, the party chairman, wrote on X: “Reform controlled councils will move at great speed to see that all its hiring is merit-based and colour blind.

“Reform-controlled councils will be where DEI goes to die.”

Reform outlined its energy policy in February, which included taxes on the renewables sector and new laws blocking new pylons from being erected.

Mr Tice demanded that any new cables in Lincolnshire be put underground or “around the Wash offshore”, which he said would be “the smarter, quicker thing to do”.

He added that he had met with senior figures in the National Grid, telling them about the party’s plans should it win the next general election.

In remarks to The Telegraph, he said: “We will attack these people and these ideas from every angle at every conceivable opportunity.

“We will attack, we will hinder, we will delay, we will obstruct, we will put every hurdle in your way. It’s going to cost you a fortune, and you’re not going to win. So give up and go away.”

The party’s position on net zero stands at odds with the Government’s current approach, with Ed Miliband having prioritised giving the green light to new solar farms and energy projects.

The Energy Secretary lifted the effective ban on onshore wind farms within weeks of taking office last year.

But in a significant intervention in the debate last week, Sir Tony Blair said that “the current approach isn’t working”.