Cabinet ministers are increasing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider his Net Zero agenda, following former Prime Minister Tony Blair's criticism of what he termed 'illogical' green targets. Reports indicate a growing divide within the government over Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's stance against new North Sea oil and gas exploration.
Internal Disagreements Over Energy Policy
Senior Labour figures have privately challenged Miliband's assertion that new fossil fuel exploration in the North Sea would not reduce household energy bills. The government has consistently argued that reversing the ban on new North Sea production would not lower domestic bills because oil prices are set internationally. However, a Whitehall source told The Times: 'People keep saying that it won't take a penny off bills. But if it improves your balance of payments, it helps your currency, potentially letting you get more for your money on all sorts of goods. Even small changes make a difference at scale.'
Another source added: 'There's a growing feeling that we've boxed ourselves in with a line that's technically true but politically useless. People hear 'it won't cut bills' and assume there's no economic benefit whatsoever.'
Tony Blair's Intervention
Tony Blair, who served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, made a notable intervention amid Labour's leadership turmoil. In a 5,600-word essay, he accused the party of retreating into a left-wing 'comfort zone' without a 'coherent plan' for transforming Britain. He criticized the government's Net Zero agenda as not the 'right priority' and questioned the logic of shutting down the North Sea oil and gas industry. 'I don't understand the logic behind it, or shutting down our own oil and gas industry in circumstances where... I don't know another country in the world that's doing that,' Blair said. He urged ministers to focus on securing 'cheap energy' and economic growth.
When asked on Times Radio if he was proposing that Starmer abandon Miliband's green energy targets, Blair replied: 'Yes, I am.' He suggested that Miliband's position as Energy Secretary might be untenable, stating: 'It's really a question of explaining to the country, and to Ed, that right now we need to get growth levels up, we need to recognise with this AI revolution that we're going to need cheap energy.'
Polling and Public Opinion
New YouGov polling revealed that 65% of Britons prioritize preventing increases in energy bills over removing all fossil fuels from the UK's electricity supply, a key Labour goal. Only 24% said decarbonizing the grid was more important.
An insider told The Times: 'Usually Ed would have the PM's ear on this stuff, but since the betrayal over the leadership, other arguments are now being heard.'
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson stated: 'The Government is implementing the manifesto commitment to deliver a fair and balanced transition in the North Sea, managing existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan, and not granting new exploration licenses because they will not support our energy security and will not take a penny off bills.'
