Andy Burnham is facing mounting pressure to adhere to Labour's manifesto pledge and block new North Sea drilling as he prepares to formally become Prime Minister on Monday. Reports suggest the incoming Labour leader is considering backing new oil and gas projects, prompting calls from allies and environmentalists to honour the party's 2024 manifesto commitment.
Burnham's Plans for a Dynamic Start
Close allies of Burnham have indicated he plans to make a "dynamic" start to his premiership when he officially takes over from Sir Keir Starmer. The former Mayor of Manchester is expected to deliver a speech in Downing Street outlining measures to provide "breathing space" on the cost of living and drive economic growth across the UK. However, specifics of his agenda remain unclear.
Reports have emerged that Burnham is "open-minded" about approving new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. This would contradict Labour's 2024 manifesto, which Burnham has promised to uphold. The manifesto explicitly states the party would not issue new North Sea licences, arguing it would "not take a penny off bills" or enhance energy security while accelerating climate change.
Green Party and Environmental Opposition
Senior Green Party figures have urged Burnham not to break what they describe as "one of Labour's flagship manifesto commitments." Green MP Adrian Ramsay stated: "Andy Burnham says he takes the climate and nature crises seriously, but words are no substitute for action. With heatwaves causing deaths, wildfires and extreme weather across the country, approving new oil and gas drilling is exactly the wrong response and will do nothing to bring down energy bills."
Industry Lobbying for New Licences
The past week has seen significant lobbying from energy industry leaders and trade union bosses, who published an open letter to Labour MPs calling for support of North Sea oil and gas. They argued that domestic production would reduce reliance on imports from "volatile regions" with higher emissions, making it a "more responsible choice for the climate." Enrique Cornejo of Offshore Energies UK said: "While we use oil and gas, it is common sense that we prioritise our own production, our own jobs, value in our economy, delivered with lower emissions than imports."
Arguments Against Further Drilling
Opponents contend that the global oil market means extra North Sea production would not affect energy bills, as extraction is more expensive. Additionally, there is no guarantee that additional oil would be used domestically, as the UK already exports most of its oil production.
Implications for Chancellor Selection
Support for new drilling could complicate Burnham's choice of chancellor, a decision he said on Friday he had not yet made. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, a strong supporter of the manifesto commitment, is a leading candidate, but reports suggest Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood may also be in contention.
