Burnham Signals Flexibility on North Sea Oil

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled potential flexibility on Labour's manifesto commitment to halt new North Sea oil and gas drilling, sparking controversy among environmentalists and some Labour MPs. This comes after his first conversation with US President Donald Trump as Prime Minister, where he indicated openness to exploiting existing resources.

The prime minister’s comments came in response to a question about his conversation with Donald Trump on his first day in No 10. According to The Guardian, Burnham said, 'I indicated in the phone call that we had, a week last Monday, that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here.' He added, 'There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president.'

The potential shift in policy has sparked controversy among environmentalists and some Labour MPs. Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green party in England and Wales, condemned Burnham’s comments, saying it was particularly alarming during a period of drought and wildfires. 'Allowing new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea will worsen the climate breakdown,' said Polanski.

According to The Guardian, many Labour MPs are increasingly worried about how support for expanded drilling will play with an electorate alarmed by the worst drought since 1976, soaring temperatures, wildfires, and climate-related food inflation and potential supply shortages. They worry about losing more voters to the Greens, who have stressed their opposition to further new licences for the North Sea.

Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, urged ministers to 'keep carbon in the ground', while Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, said there was 'no legitimate reason' to press ahead with Jackdaw because it would make only a negligible difference to energy prices. Chris Murray, the Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, emphasized the UK's duty to lead on net zero.

The decision on key projects like Jackdaw gas field east of Aberdeen and Rosebank oilfield west of Shetland is pending after consultations conclude in mid-August. Campaigners warn that approving these would break the manifesto pledge, but Burnham may avoid a vote by taking decisions administratively. The issue is likely to remain live when the budget comes on 28 October.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is preparing a distinct agenda on relations with the EU over the next decade, Britain’s chairing of the G20 next year, and the climate crisis. Miliband intends to be closely involved in talks on the UK’s relations with the EU since he regards a successful solution to that relationship as the single biggest question facing the UK.

Miliband represents a Eurosceptic constituency and remains bound by Labour’s manifesto red lines not to enter the single market or customs union in this parliament. However, he seeks to influence Andy Burnham’s longer-term thinking about where the UK’s relationship with the EU should be in 10 or 15 years.