A survey for Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) found that 65% of those who voted Labour in the 2024 general election want UK ministers to approve the Rosebank oil and gas field, the largest undeveloped oil field in UK waters.
Despite Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge, under Sir Keir Starmer, to grant no new oil and gas licences, only 17% of the party's voters said Rosebank, which lies to the north west of Shetland, should be rejected.
Support for Jackdaw and oil and gas reliance
The Opinium research also found that 68% of Labour supporters agreed with the UK Government's decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen. Almost three quarters (72%) of those who voted for the party in 2024 agreed that oil and gas are "essential for the foreseeable future".
The polling, which questioned 2,050 adults across the UK, found that overall 55% of people were in favour of increasing the country's domestic oil and gas production, with 63% saying Rosebank should be given the go-ahead.
Industry and government response
OEUK chief executive David Whitehouse said the survey results "offer Government an opportunity to align with public opinion and start working through the pipeline of North Sea projects that are awaiting approval". He added: "The public are clearly in agreement with the new Prime Minister's 'pragmatic' policy on the North Sea, which will once again be tested as the final decision on Rosebank is made in the coming months."
Whitehouse also said that "investing in North Sea energy strengthens Britain's economy, supports UK supply chains and industrial communities, and builds our energy resilience".
The comments came after the UK Government introduced its Energy Independence Bill, which includes a commitment to issue no new oil and gas licences to explore new fields in the North Sea. Rosebank had previously been granted a licence by the Conservative government, though it was later ruled unlawful, leading to the project having to be considered again.
Speaking about the new legislation, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Through this Bill, we will build a clean energy future which people feel in their pockets, households and communities, ensuring support reaches those who need it most."
