A Labour MP has launched a direct attack on Ed Miliband’s environmental agenda, warning current policies are making British families poorer.
Henry Tufnell broke ranks with his own party to call on ministers to end the ban on new North Sea oil and gas exploration and scrap what he described as “oppressive” environmental levies.
Mr Tufnell argued Britain should make use of its domestic fossil fuel reserves rather than pursue policies he said offer politicians “moral superiority and relief from guilt” while households face rising costs.
He warned the current approach risks driving “corrosive deindustrialisation” across the country.
The Labour backbencher also called for carbon taxes on British manufacturing to be removed immediately.
Mr Tufnell said expanding North Sea extraction would generate additional tax revenues for the Treasury.
Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to reconsider the moratorium on new drilling licences as tensions involving Iran push fuel prices higher.
The Prime Minister’s position has come under increased scrutiny as critics question whether the Government’s energy strategy is suited to a period of geopolitical instability.
Henry Tufnell breaks ranks to call for end to drilling ban and removal of environmental levies
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Mr Miliband has rejected criticism of his push towards net zero, instead pledging to expand renewable energy while continuing to rely on imported supplies.
The Energy Secretary has argued that increasing domestic oil and gas production would not reduce household bills because resources would still be sold on international markets.
His stance has drawn criticism from across politics and industry as the debate over energy security intensifies.
Centrica chief executive Chris O’Shea said Britain should reconsider its approach to domestic energy production.
Rachel Reeves ‘committed’ to end windfall tax as she holds crisis talks with North Sea oil and gas bosses | GETTY
Mr O’Shea said: “I do think we should look at producing the resources we’ve got ourselves. They will bring prices down.”
The intervention from the head of one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers adds to growing pressure on the Government to review its position.
Mr Tufnell also called for a broader shift in strategy, arguing Britain needs “greater energy sovereignty” in response to global uncertainty.
He said resuming North Sea drilling alongside removing carbon levies on domestic industry would support economic growth and help address unemployment.
Chris O’Shea said Britain should produce and use its own domestic energy
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Mr Tufnell also warned that importing oil and gas from abroad risks increasing overall emissions.
He said: “Importing oil and gas from facilities that are less carbon-efficient and require long-distance shipping is simply displacing the problem elsewhere and impoverishing our communities.”
His comments place him at odds with Mr Miliband’s position that domestically produced fossil fuels would not directly benefit UK consumers.
The row highlights divisions within Labour over how to balance energy security, economic growth and climate targets.