David Vance SubstackRead More
I think that I wasn’t the only one who was surprised to hear the Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s try to suggest that under existing law, it is the Energy Secretary – Ed Miliband – not the Prime Minister personally, who takes the formal decision on new North Sea oil and gas licences. Talk about literal gaslighting!
At PMQs on Wednesday, Kemi Badenoch pressed him to “approve the licences for Rosebank and Jackdaw gas fields in the North Sea”, Starmer replied that “under statute, it is a matter for the Secretary of State”, describing it as a quasi‑judicial decision and saying “the quasi‑judicial duty of the legislation rests with the Secretary of State.” .
In other words, Starmer is arguing he cannot simply “sign off” new fields by political fiat; the Energy Secretary must apply the law and planning framework to each case, weighing environmental and economic factors. What absolute b*ll*cks!
This snivelling cowards is once again “hiding behind legal process”! Of course he could change the law if he wanted more drilling. But instead he used the point to underline that his priority is accelerating renewables rather than expanding North Sea production. So in the middle of a global existential oil and gas crisis, Starmer is saying he can’t do anything to exploit our own resources in the North Sea.
Oh no, according to him, from “a quasi judicial” point of view that choice falls to Ed Miliband – the swivelling eyed eco loon who has made it cleat that HIS priority is Net Zero Carbon and if that means we have petrol and oil rationing so be it.
Back in 2024, Milband spelt it out for all to hear;
“We will not issue new licences to explore new fields. We will also not revoke existing oil and gas licences and will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.”
OK, so he won’t open up new gas fields, which is economic suicide but we should focus on what he means about “managing existing fields” You see Operators are taxed are currently taxed at a marginal rate of 78%, much higher than normal corporation tax.
Last October, the chief executive of 150-year-old oil and gas group Hunting, said he was being forced to close four of the company’s five UK centres including its main Scottish site because the Government had destroyed the North Sea offshore oil industry.
That’s what Miliband MEANS about “managing it” – he means destroying it.
We have a Government of Lowe IQ eco-zealots who will quite happily put the lights out if it means they pass their climate purity test,
