DONALD Trump has thrown down the gauntlet to Sir Keir Starmer demanding more drilling for oil and gas in a blast at Net Zero.
The US President called on the UK to mimic his “drill, baby drill” policy” to take advantage of 100 years of supplies left to bring down energy costs.
1
In a savage attack on green policies, Trump said that Britain must “stop with the costly and unsightly windmills” and focus on the drilling.
Sir Keir has so far refused to budge on granting any new licences to explore new fields in the North Sea in the quest to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “Our negotiated deal with the United Kingdom is working out well for all.
“I strongly recommend to them, however, that in order to get their Energy Costs down, they stop with the costly and unsightly windmills, and incentivize modernized drilling in the North Sea, where large amounts of oil lay waiting to be taken.
“A century of drilling left, with Aberdeen as the hub. The old fashioned tax system disincentivizes drilling, rather than the opposite. UK’s Energy Costs would go WAY DOWN, and fast!”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Trump is 100 per cent right. Lower energy costs have powered the American economy whilst we de-industrialise.
“I will be visiting Aberdeen very soon to meet what is left of the industry.”
The move is set to be welcomed by unions who have hit out at the green transition plans.
Gary Smith of the GMB union has said it’s “bonkers” to be cutting off investment into North Sea oil and gas and insisting it was bad for national security.
It comes just weeks after ex-PM Sir Tony Blair said any proposals limiting energy consumption and fossil fuel production is “doomed to fail”.
He called on all government to re-think their policies urging the end to the government’s “mad dash” to reach the goal.
Blair said that “being asked to make financial sacrifices and changes in lifestyle when they know that their impact on global emissions is minimal”.
Meanwhile, Farage said if he were PM, he would embark on a “day one” assault on Net Zero by reversing restrictions on new oil and gas exploration.
Reform UK would demand a stake in energy companies in exchange for granting new licences.
Proposals include offering firms a bigger investment for drilling in riskier locations.
Deputy Richard Tice says firms should be getting their licences ready for when they get into power.
He said: “For the past 100 years the oil and gas industry is a certainty. It’s the fastest way for jobs, growth and lower bills.”
It comes as the ex-boss of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove hit out at Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s drive to Net Zero.
He pointed to using Chinese technology in wind farms, electric cars and solar panels, during an interview with The i newspaper.
He said: “The problem is you’ve got the ideological Ed Miliband pursuing zero carbon without a thought for the impact on national security.”
