As many as 100 Labour MPs could sign a letter opposing the giant Rosebank oilfield, with 75 MPs already having signed the private letter. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is said to be minded to reject the project, but could be overruled by the prime minister amid a cabinet split, with Chancellor John Healy in favour.
The letter, first reported by the Sunday Times, argues that Britain's credibility as a global climate leader would be destroyed if drilling went ahead and that it would not reduce energy bills. It is expected to be delivered to Mr Burnham in the next fortnight.
One Labour MP who signed the letter said: "We're at a point where Reform and the Greens are on the back foot and Labour is enjoying a bounce, but a lot of people are very worried about Rosebank." They said Mr Burnham's problem is that he has let three fights start at the same time, Rosebank, European relations, and welfare changes, and warned: "If control of the narrative on one issue is lost it could lead to panic about another."
Another Labour MP said the interest goes beyond the party's 2024 intake, including colleagues who do not usually sign such letters. They said the campaign was about staying true to what they had told voters, and that many people were linking the climate crisis with their experiences of temperatures or flooding. The prospect of government resignations also loomed if the drilling licence was granted, and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband had previously described Rosebank as “a colossal waste of taxpayer money and climate vandalism”.
The government has described its process around Rosebank as "quasi-judicial". Ms Fahnbulleh has said the decision would be consistent with the UK's climate obligations and energy transition.
The company operating both Rosebank and the smaller Jackdaw field said on Sunday that gas had begun to flow from Jackdaw, bringing energy ashore for winter. Claire Mueller, Jackdaw project director at North Sea producer Adura, said the two fields were expected to generate £1.4bn in tax revenues before the end of this parliament, rising to £3.8bn by the end of the next. She said the projects offered an opportunity to support jobs, investment and Britain's energy security.
Sera is instrumental in organising the letter. It is an affiliate and member-led environmental organisation within Labour whose members include Mr Miliband and several ministers. Heavy backing for Rosebank also comes from Labour-supporting unions GMB and Unite, which are concerned about Mr Burnham's talk of rejoining the EU.
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- SupportedThe Labour rebellion over Rosebank could exceed 100 MPs.UK news | The Guardian: ““I do think it will probably get to around 100 MPs and may go beyond it””
- SupportedEnergy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is said to be minded to reject Rosebank.UK news | The Guardian: “While the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is said to be minded to reject the controversial oilfield”
- SupportedThe prime minister could overrule Fahnbulleh amid a cabinet split, with Chancellor John Healy in favour.UK news | The Guardian: “she could still be overruled by the prime minister, amid a cabinet split in which the chancellor, John Healy, is in favour of the plans.”
- SupportedAs many as 100 Labour MPs could sign the letter, and 75 have already signed it.UK news | The Guardian: “As many as 100 Labour MPs could sign a letter opposing the giant Rosebank oilfield... A total of 75 MPs have already signed the private letter”
- SupportedThe letter argues that drilling would destroy Britain’s credibility as a global climate leader.UK news | The Guardian: “The letter, first reported by the Sunday Times, says Britain’s credibility as a global climate leader would be destroyed if drilling went ahead off the Scottish coast”
- SupportedA Labour MP who signed the letter said, “We're at a point where Reform and the Greens are on the back foot and Labour is enjoying a bounce, but a lot of people are very worried about Rosebank.”UK news | The Guardian: ““We’re at a point where Reform and the Greens are on the back foot and Labour is enjoying a bounce, but a lot of people are very worried about Rosebank,” said one Labour MP who signed the letter.”
- SupportedA Labour MP said Mr Burnham had let three fights start at the same time: Rosebank, European relations and welfare changes.UK news | The Guardian: ““Andy’s big problem is also that he has let three fights start at the same time, which could prove to be very awkward. Rows about this and what our position should be on European relations have come at the same time as the debates that will come this week over [Alan Milburn’s] proposals on out-of-work benefits for young people.””
- SupportedThe MP warned, “If control of the narrative on one issue is lost it could lead to panic about another.”UK news | The Guardian: ““If control of the narrative on one issue is lost it could lead to panic about another.””
- Partly supportedThe prospect of government resignations if the drilling licence is granted was presented as a looming possibility.UK news | The Guardian: ““The prospect of government resignations also looms if the drilling licence is granted. While the foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, is unlikely to go, such a decision would also put [him] in an awkward position given his past description of Rosebank as a ‘ colossal waste of taxpayer money and climate vandalism ’.””
- SupportedEd Miliband had previously described Rosebank as “a colossal waste of taxpayer money and climate vandalism”.UK news | The Guardian: “given his past description of Rosebank as a ‘ colossal waste of taxpayer money and climate vandalism ’.”
- SupportedGas had begun to flow from Jackdaw, bringing energy ashore for winter.UK news | The Guardian: “The company operating both fields said on Sunday that gas had begun to flow from the Jackdaw platform, “bringing vital UK energy resources ashore in time for winter”.”
- SupportedRosebank and Jackdaw were expected to generate £1.4bn in tax revenue before the end of this parliament and £3.8bn by the end of the next.UK news | The Guardian: “Claire Mueller, Jackdaw project director at the North Sea oil and gas producer Adura, said Rosebank and Jackdaw were expected to generate £1.4bn in tax revenues before the end of this parliament, rising to £3.8bn by the end of the next.”