Labour MPs tell Burnham to ignore deluded calls for more North Sea drilling

Many Labour MPs have asked Andy Burnham, who might become the next prime minister, to refuse the development of the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea. They called this idea misguided. New research shows that this oilfield could produce as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as the UK produces in 10 months.

The research suggests that Rosebank, which mostly contains oil, would create around 250 million tonnes of CO2 during its working life. This is about 70% of the UK's yearly emissions. MPs believe that developing this field is a bad idea, especially after recent record-breaking hot weather. They argue it won't lower fuel prices or significantly help the UK's economy.

One Labour MP, Mike Reader, stated that opening up the North Sea now would be insensitive given the record heat and the repeated energy price increases caused by depending too much on oil and gas. He feels that anyone suggesting this is not focusing on clean, reliable energy is mistaken.

Chris Murray, another Labour MP, pointed out that the problems caused by relying on fossil fuels are happening right now. He questioned why, when the country is so hot, some people want to allow the Rosebank field, the UK's biggest undeveloped oilfield, to proceed. He believes politicians should support the opportunity to control national energy supplies, create jobs in clean energy manufacturing in Scotland, and offer a better future for communities affected by the decline of the North Sea industry.

Scott Arthur, an MP, highlighted the damage caused by climate change, such as wildfires near Edinburgh, which are now happening every year. He also mentioned how recent heatwaves disrupted transport networks. He stressed that this is climate change getting worse and that serious action is needed to reduce carbon emissions and work with other countries on this global issue.

While Burnham has not yet commented on the North Sea in his recent speech about public control of utilities, he has previously indicated he is open-minded. He is facing pressure from the fossil fuel industry, the Conservative party, and some unions to go against Labour's plan to stop issuing new oil and gas licenses. The Rosebank project could technically be approved without breaking this promise, as its application was submitted before Labour potentially took power.

However, Fatih Birol, a leading energy economist and head of the International Energy Agency, has told The Guardian that Rosebank and similar new fields would not lower oil or gas prices and would have a small economic benefit. Despite arguments from some, like Nigel Farage, that more North Sea production could lower prices, oil is sold on the global market and its price is set internationally. Supporters also claim new fields will create jobs, but this is unlikely to compensate for job losses, as the North Sea is a declining resource with most reserves already extracted. Jobs in this sector have been falling for over 15 years.

Barry Gardiner, a Labour MP, argued that more drilling will not stop the loss of jobs in the oil and gas sector, which have been declining for years. He questioned whether politicians should support companies making huge profits or ordinary people struggling with high energy bills and worrying about extreme weather.

A significant number of Labour MPs and members of the Scottish Parliament have publicly opposed the Rosebank development. They have urged Burnham not to give in to these requests. The UK's green economy is currently worth £100bn a year and provides 1 million jobs, often with higher pay. Rachael Maskell, an MP, advised Burnham to continue with the energy transition, emphasizing that more drilling will not reduce energy costs because oil and gas are sold globally. She believes the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, is correct in his approach to secure a fair transition to clean energy jobs.