Tories Accuse Labour of Aiding Putin by Blocking Rosebank Oil Field
Conservatives argue that rejecting the North Sea development benefits Russia, while a Labour MP calls the approval of the Jackdaw gas field a minor step.
Conservative lawmakers have accused the governing Labour party of aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin by considering a block on the Rosebank oil field development, the largest untapped oil reserve in the North Sea. This criticism emerged after the government approved drilling for gas in the Jackdaw field, a decision that will allow gas to flow within weeks.
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh indicated that Rosebank's approval was unlikely, distinguishing it from the Jackdaw project by stating, "One is a gas field that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oil field that is mainly for export." This stance drew a strong reaction from the Conservatives.
"Every barrel of oil the UK exports to Europe is one less barrel they would buy from Russia," said Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie. "approve Rosebank now." He further argued in an opinion piece that if Labour acknowledges the economic and strategic importance of domestic oil and gas production, they should approve Rosebank to end uncertainty and signal confidence to the industry.
A Labour backbench MP acknowledged that the approval of the Jackdaw field was "a drop in the ocean" compared to Rosebank in the eyes of environmentalists. Clive Lewis suggested this could be a pragmatic approach by the government or a prelude to approving Rosebank.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that it was "speculation" that Rosebank would be blocked, adding that each project would be assessed on its own merits.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch urged Labour to repeal its ban on new oil and gas licenses, asserting that the UK possesses the necessary resources, expertise, and people but lacks the confidence to make difficult decisions.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, urging the UK to "go FULL BLAST!!!" in exploiting North Sea resources, claiming it would make the UK very wealthy and advocating for the removal of wind turbines.