Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been accused of "running scared" of the Green Party, with critics alleging a crucial decision on North Sea drilling approval for the Jackdaw oil field has been delayed until after the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election.

This move has been labeled "pathetic" by opponents who argue that the delay prioritizes the Labour Party's electoral interests over national interests. Unions have been urging the Labour government to resume North Sea oil and gas drilling to stimulate job creation and bolster the United Kingdom's economy.

Burnham was expected to lift a moratorium on drilling at the Trade Unions Congress conference, where he was scheduled to deliver a keynote address. However, reports indicate the approval will be postponed until after the by-election for Keir Starmer's former seat, a contest seen as a significant test for Labour. The Green Party's candidate, Zack Polanski, recently secured a decisive victory in the party's candidate selections for the constituency.

Labour faces the possibility of losing the Holborn and St Pancras seat, which it has held since 1983, to the Green Party, which achieved considerable gains in London during recent council elections. Polanski stated that the climate crisis is a central issue in the upcoming by-election on October 8th, emphasizing that voters in the constituency show heightened concern for climate issues.

Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie criticized Burnham for "placing the interests of the Labour Party before the interests of Great Britain." Bowie stated, "It is becoming clear that Labour are about to, yet again, delay, the decision on Jackdaw. Waiting until after the Holborn and St Pancras By Election. If true, Andy Burnham is guilty of a gross dereliction of duty and is putting the Labour Party's interest over the national interest. There must be no more delay, get Britain drilling."

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Bowie wrote, "There is absolutely no acceptable reason to postpone a decision any further." He added that if approved, "gas could start flowing directly into the British Gas Grid by winter – reducing our reliance on expensive imports, securing jobs and sending a signal Britain is open for business." Bowie warned that "the uncertainty, the dither and the delay is killing confidence in our energy industry and is costing the Country dear."

Harriet Cross, shadow Scotland secretary, described Labour's stance as "pathetic," asserting that "Jackdaw can be operating THIS WINTER. It can be supplying gas to 1.4 million homes THIS WINTER. It could support hundreds of jobs. Putting a by-election above energy security is pathetic."

Polanski countered claims that approving drilling would create jobs, stating that "the evidence shows it would create about 27 jobs." He affirmed the Green Party's position that "fossil fuels need to stay where they belong, in the ground," accusing Labour of "running scared" and initiating the campaign with "an act of dishonesty and betrayal."

A spokesperson for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero denied any agreed timing for a decision on Jackdaw, refuting suggestions of a delay.