Campaigners outside Westminster are calling on Andy Burnham to halt plans for drilling in the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea, as the UK grapples with heatwaves, high energy prices, and reindustrialisation demands. Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor now on the cusp of becoming prime minister, has remained largely silent on climate issues, raising questions about his environmental stance.
Burnham's Climate Silence Amid Heatwaves
Three UK heatwaves this year have killed thousands, damaged harvests, and caused widespread distress. Chris Venables, an environmental campaigner and fellow at the Green Alliance thinktank, noted, "Burnham has been very quiet about the climate [crisis] so far. I don’t think [it] is at the forefront of his mind, but that does not mean he will water down this agenda." Heatwaves in May and June killed about 2,700 people and cost UK businesses at least £2.4bn in lost productivity.
Miliband's Role and Climate Policy
Ed Miliband, a climate action champion as energy secretary, is being considered for chancellor of the exchequer, which could boost low-carbon policies. However, rivals suggest he may lose out to home secretary Shabana Mahmood, potentially setting back climate efforts. The fossil fuel-driven "super El Niño" weather system could further spike food prices.
Burnham's Record in Manchester
Burnham set a local net zero target by 2038, expanded and electrified bus services, and initiated home insulation programmes. He rejected fracking in north-west England but remains "open-minded" about North Sea drilling. Leading economists, including IEA head Fatih Birol, argue new fields won't lower UK fuel prices or stimulate growth. In 2022, Burnham paused a clean air zone in Manchester after opposition, costing about £100m.
Green Growth vs. Fossil Fuels
The CBI and businesses warn high energy prices are crippling the UK economy. Renewable energy is now cheap, creating jobs and reducing dependence on volatile gas and oil. Burnham's "Manchesterism" philosophy prizes reindustrialisation and local solutions. Robbie Macpherson, a Kennedy scholar, said, "Cheaper energy, economic growth, good jobs and five more years in power is the prize. An ecosystem of local authorities, workers, environmentalists and communities are ready to support Burnham in taking the rapid growth of Britain’s green sector to the next level."
Key Decisions Ahead
Burnham faces a decision on the Jackdaw gasfield, with a consultation until 8 August. Along with the Rosebank oilfield, these sites could bypass Labour's manifesto promise to ban new licences. Experts say having Miliband in power would be a greater win for the climate than the Jackdaw outcome. Ed Matthew of E3G urged market intervention: "He needs to confront the reality that no amount of North Sea drilling will bring down energy bills. To do that he must reform the energy market to stop gas setting the price of electricity."
