Just Stop Oil demands 'contempt' says Sir Keir Starmer

Sir Keir criticized Just Stop Oil's demands to «just turn off the taps». Photo: Labor Party

Just Stop Oil's message about shutting off North Sea taps is 'despicable' Sir Keir Starmer said.

In his op-ed in The Times, he sought to distance himself from Just Stop Oil because The Tories are attacking Labor for accepting a £1.5m donation from campaign supporter Dale Vince.

Sir Keir said he would ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration licenses just because that he is committed to giving business confidence.

«The workforce is once again the political wing of the British people and we have a plan to manage the transition to net zero,» he wrote.

“I will not trade the long-term interests of the nation for short-term political gain. I won't let the workers pay for this transition like the Conservatives did the last time.»

Sir Keir added: «People like Just Stop Oil want us to just turn off the taps in the North Sea by creating such the same chaos for the workers as on our roads. It is worthy of contempt.

“It's the same as saying you need clean energy as we move away from fossil fuels and then oppose nuclear power, although it is vital for any viable plan to lower electricity bills and ensure energy security to operate. people.”

He said his party will work with the oil and gas sector to ensure a managed transition to zero emissions, and that it will also “attract investment in future North Sea energy generation along with newer technologies such as carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.”

Rishi Sunak has recently taken a tougher stance on net zero issues, winning over Tory members.

However, Mr. Sunak angered climate activists and green conservatives by announcing plans to «make the most» of oil and gas reserves for economic growth and security after Vladimir Putin pressured Europe to cut supplies.

>< p>A small Tory victory to keep Uxbridge and South Ruislip in last month's by-elections led to calls to rethink the way policies are implemented to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.

Mr. Sunak sought to portray himself. how on the side of the 'motorists' after London Mayor Sadiq Khan's emission-fighting accusations of Ulez was linked to Labor's failure to win.

The PM has ordered a review of Low Traffic Neighborhood (LTN) schemes as some Tories push for loosening environmental measures during a cost-of-living crisis.

But Environment Minister Teresa Coffey warned her colleagues that abandoning green policies could cost the Conservatives the next general election.

p>< p>«To win the next election, we need to continue to show that we care about the environment,» she told the Mail on Sunday.

«We also need to show that this is the way to do things, which does not burden hard-working people.”

She insisted that ministers continue their efforts to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

” Trust us on our track record, not baited.