Ed Miliband’s North Sea U-turn exposed as bid for Chancellor’s job | Politics | News
Critics say Ed Miliband’s sudden move on North Sea drilling has emerged as a shameless bid to take the Chancellor’s job. The Energy Secretary is reportedly ready to approve the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen after years of blocking new drilling in the name of net zero gas.
But the U-turn comes at what critics have described as a suspiciously convenient moment; just as Andy Burnham prepares to oust Rachel Reeves from the Treasury and appoint a new Chancellor. Mr Miliband is said to be desperate to prove he is a “pragmatist” rather than a “bigot”; Reports in The Daily Telegraph suggest that he specifically wanted the top job economically for himself.
Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho ripped off the timing, saying: “After two years of Net Zero zealotry, Ed Miliband appears to have suddenly discovered the value of North Sea oil and gas – just as the Chancellorship comes vacant.”
He added: “Either Miliband has carried out a transformation in Damascus or, more likely, this is just an empty promise from a man who says he will cut energy bills but instead raises prices.”
Ms Coutinho said: “There’s only one side you can trust to get Britain drilling in the North Sea and deliver lower bills to families and businesses – the Conservatives.”
Energy analyst Andy Mayer said the Government’s approach remained “ideological and frivolous” and accused Mr Miliband of “waiting to be told what to do by an army of lawyers”.
He said: “We need oil and gas, we have oil and gas, we are drilling for oil and gas. Until this becomes policy, nothing will change about the UK’s exposure to high energy bills and dangerous supply shocks.”
But the Green Party accused Mr Miliband of treason. Adrian Ramsay said: “Issuing new drilling licenses is a betrayal to future generations and will not help the cost of living crisis.”
He added: “It is shocking that Ed Miliband has bowed to fossil fuel interests in this way.”
Mr Miliband has been contacted for comment.
