Internal pushback against the Scottish offshore development is gathering pace, with a protest letter organised alongside the environmental group Sera expected to be delivered to Andy Burnham within a fortnight. Divisions extend into the cabinet itself, where Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh reportedly leans toward rejecting the proposal while Chancellor John Healy backs it. Approval risks triggering ministerial resignations and complicates matters for Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who previously branded the project climate vandalism. Meanwhile, industry unions GMB and Unite support the project alongside operator Adura, which projects billions in future tax revenues.
Key points
Approving the project risks triggering government resignations and exposing deep rifts wi…: Approving the project risks triggering government resignations and exposing deep rifts within the cabinet.
Trade unions GMB and Unite strongly support the oilfield despite significant backbench op…: Trade unions GMB and Unite strongly support the oilfield despite significant backbench opposition.
The government insists the approval decision remains a quasi-judicial process that must m…: The government insists the approval decision remains a quasi-judicial process that must meet national climate obligations.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
As many as 100 Labour MPs could sign a letter opposing the giant Rosebank oilfield, as discontent among backbenchers looks likely to surge this week, with rebellions also brewing over Europe and welfare changes.
A total of 75 MPs have already signed the private letter, which is expected to be delivered in the next fortnight to Andy Burnham as part of a campaign in which Labour MPs from the party’s 2024 intake are playing a significant role.
While the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is said to be minded to reject the controversial oilfield, 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.
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, and argues that it would not reduce energy bills.
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