Keir Starmer tries to calm rift with GMB over energy policy

Keir Starmer has moved to calm a growing rift with the GMB union over Labour’s energy policy, even as its leader renewed his attack on the party’s plan to prohibit new North Sea oil and gas developments.

The Labour leader has pledged to enact the ban if his party wins power, proposing to invest instead in renewable sources, such as wind farms, and in nuclear power.

The policy has angered some unions concerned over job security for oil and gas workers, with the GMB’s general secretary, Gary Smith, accusing the party on Sunday of “being naive” and risking a possible “cliff-edge with oil and gas extraction”.

In an apparent attempt to reassure union critics, Starmer stressed on Monday that “oil and gas will be part of our energy mix for many, many years to come”.

Speaking during a visit to the Hinkley C nuclear power project in Somerset, he said: “We have a once in a generation opportunity now to seize the jobs of the future. Oil and gas will be part of that because, where there are existing licences, they will go on to the 2050s.”

However, only a couple of hours later Smith used a speech to the GMB’s annual conference in Brighton to reiterate his criticism of Labour’s approach, urging the party o focus on a “mix of energy sources” if it gains power, including oil and gas.

He said that – while the union wanted a Labour government – he disagreed with its energy policy. “We have to fix and secure our energy supply if we are to face down threats from authoritarian regimes in the world and find a workable way to achieve net zero,” Smith said.

“But our future requires a mix of energy sources – new nuclear, renewables, hydrogen, and oil and gas. It would be a huge mistake to put all the nation’s eggs in one energy basket.”

The Unite union has also criticised Labour’s stance. Its general secretary, Sharon Graham, said last week that the UK needed a properly planned transition that would “guarantee jobs, pay and conditions for all the tens of thousands of workers in the North Sea and supporting industries”.

Starmer’s plans have received significant support from a range of high-profile groups, including other trade unions, environmental campaigners and even the Women’s Institute.

Last year, Unite and the GMB each gave Labour about £1.2m. Starmer said on Monday that Labour talks to the GMB “all the time”.

Energy policy is expected to be a key battleground for Labour in the run-up to the next election. The energy crisis, provoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has fuelled debate over Britain’s energy security and plans for green jobs.

Starmer’s proposals include a pledge to create a publicly owned “clean power” company called Great British Energy.

Smith said in his speech that he had visited Washington earlier this year to meet members of Joe Biden’s administration to talk about US energy policy.

“I heard how they are transforming their economy and country, bringing manufacturing jobs home and securing their energy future through a balanced mix of resources. All as part of the journey to net zero,” he said.

“They believe in plans not bans. Plans built around unionised, decent jobs.”