𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A Tory bid to issue new oil and gas licences has been rejected by MPs. The Commons voted 108 to 323, majority 215, to throw out the Conservative amendment to the King’s Speech.

The measure pressed ministers to give the green light to drilling at Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields. Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho accused Labour whips of telling MPs to “vote to shut down the North Sea”.

In the King’s Speech, the Labour Government reiterated its manifesto commitment against new licences to explore new fields.

Ms Coutinho warned during the debate that “only a complete whacko” would scale down North Sea oil and gas production.

She said the Government’s position would leave the UK “more reliant on higher-emission gas from Qatar or the US”, or funnelling “billions of pounds to Norway to import gas from the very same basin” in the North Sea.

She added: “This is the single greatest act of industrial self-harm we have seen in a generation.

“Only a complete whacko would respond to a supply shortage by shutting down their own oil and gas industry.”

But Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who is spearheading Labour’s net zero push, defended his party’s approach.

He said £90 billion of private investment had gone towards “clean energy” since the 2024 General Election.

Existing oil and gas fields will stay open for their lifetime, under Labour’s plans.

Mr Miliband said: “We’re not in favour of a ‘turning off the taps’ position, but I’ll just be honest with the House, nor are we in favour of drilling every last drop.”

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