Labour voters back UK's biggest untapped oil field despite Ed Miliband's 'climate vandalism' attack
BREAKING Henry Nowak's killer has life sentence increased after failed bid to cut it 1793897262.062 Labour voters back UK's biggest untapped oil field despite Ed Miliband's 'climate vandalism' attack Rosebank is estimated to contain 300 million barrels of recoverable oil Sign up to the Politics Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.
Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Almost two-thirds of Labour supporters want to see the Rosebank oil field approved, despite Ed Miliband once describing it as "climate vandalism". Rosebank, in the North Atlantic, is Britain's largest untapped field and is estimated to contain 300 million barrels of recoverable oil.
However, work has been on hold after a legal challenge on climate grounds. Environmentalists have fiercely opposed the site, but industry leaders say it would boost the UK's economy and energy security. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Now new polling for Offshore Energies UK revealed 65 per cent of those who backed Labour in the 2024 general election wanted to see the project get the green light. Less than a fifth (17 per cent) want it turned down.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised a "pragmatic" approach to oil and gas. Last month, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh approved Jackdaw, a giant gas field that had faced a similar legal challenge as Rosebank. Work at Rosebank, Britain's largest untapped oilfield, has been halted | PA Several Labour MPs criticised the approval, including Richard Burgon, who called it a “an absolutely terrible decision”. “The Government has got this badly wrong," he said.
"It must not repeat the same mistake with Rosebank.” Yet the new research, by Opinium, found 68 per cent of Labour voters believe Ms Fahnbulleh was right to approve Jackdaw. She will also be making the decision on Rosebank's future. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Andy Burnham told by Conservative MPs to 'protect vital pipelines from Russian threats' North Sea oil ban moves closer as Labour presses ahead with 'landmark' energy bill Yorkshire power station could host one of Britain's largest data centres in deal worth billions Ed Miliband claimed ministers are 'absolutely determined' to take action | PA Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of those who voted for the party in 2024 agreed oil and gas are “essential for the foreseeable future”.
The polling – which questioned 2,050 adults across the UK – found 55 per cent of people were in favour of increasing the country’s domestic oil and gas production, with more than three out of five (63 per cent) saying Rosebank should be given the go-ahead. David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said: “These results offer Government an opportunity to align with public opinion and start working through the pipeline of North Sea projects that are awaiting approval.
“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. “Investing in North Sea energy strengthens Britain’s economy, supports UK supply chains and industrial communities, and builds our energy resilience.” The survey also revealed a higher number of 18- to 34-year-olds (39 per cent) viewed the oil and gas industry positively than those aged 35 to 49 (31 per cent) or 50 to 64 (35 per cent).
The news comes the day after ministers introduced its Energy Independence Bill. This includes a commitment to outlaw all future exploration licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Both Jackdaw and Rosebank had already received licences from the former Tory government. Speaking about the new legislation, Ms 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."
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article says Rosebank 'had already received licences from the former Tory government' and that work is on hold after 'a legal challenge on climate grounds'. It never says a court ruled the earlier approval unlawful, which is why the project has to be considered again. Without this, a reader believes Rosebank holds a valid approval held up only by a pending challenge.
How we know
- The Independent reported“though it was later ruled that this was unlawful leading to the project having to be considered again”65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – survey (opens in a new tab)
- Evening Standard reported“Rosebank had however previously been granted a licence by the Conservative government”65% of Labour voters want Government to approve Rosebank oil field – survey (opens in a new tab)
But David Bucknall, CEO of Ineos Energy, said the North Sea ban would damage the country. He said: "The Government’s legislation to ban new drilling in the North Sea would actively decrease energy security in the UK... Leaving existing resources in the ground at home while we import the same resources from abroad makes our energy autonomy a victim of global instability." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Politics Hotel owners to face FOURTEEN years in prison for evading Angela Rayner's 'tourist tax' Politics British taxpayers could be slapped with £5.2BILLION-a-year bill as a result of Labour's migration U-turn Politics Billions squandered on post-Brexit food checks as red tape finally faces axe Politics Nigel Farage vows to pardon veterans dragged to court 'merely for doing their job' Live Politics EU could STOP Andy Burnham deporting migrant criminals as Brexit surrender plot leaked Politics Nigel Farage appoints Troubles veteran who braved 'most dangerous posting for British Army' as Reform's defence chief Politics Labour agrees to 'structured, time-bound and inclusive' talks to address transatlantic slave trade Politics Labour REFUSES to commit to slashing ballooning benefits bill over next decade during PMQs grilling Politics Andy Burnham told by Conservative MPs to 'protect vital pipelines from Russian threats' Politics Andy Burnham blasted by Martin Daubney for Caribbean steel drum stunt 'as UK goes down the swanny' Politics North Sea oil ban moves closer as Labour presses ahead with 'landmark' energy bill Politics What plan?
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