Labour is not serious on energy policy

If the first duty of the state is to ensure the security of the realm, that must extend beyond its defence by military means. Ensuring the country has sufficient energy and is not beholden to other countries when we have supplies of our own should not even be an argument among parties with the ambition to govern the nation.

But it is. The Conservatives, belatedly but correctly, have reasoned that, while moving to a carbon-free future may be desirable, and probably inexorable, it is not going to happen within the unrealistic timescales set out by politicians in search of an easy headline. This country will still need oil and gas well past the 2050 target date for “net zero” to be achieved. The word “net” is the key here since it does not mean an absolute end to the use of carbon fuels.

While we continue to use gas and oil, importing it from overseas when we could be exploiting our own reserves is both hypocritical and risky. A good proportion of both comes from the Gulf region whose stability can never be guaranteed. The war in Ukraine and the impact on Russian oil exports has shown the vulnerability of Europe to events that it cannot control.

Germany, Italy and other countries previously heavily dependent on Russian energy have managed to find new sources, but when two major production areas become war zones the danger is obvious. The UK has the advantage of its own supplies, which we have allowed to be wound down to appease green activists such as the self-regarding idiots who attacked theRokeby Venusat the National Gallery.

In Tuesday’s King’s Speech, legislation to mandate annual North Sea licensing rounds will be unveiled to allow energy companies to bid each year to drill for oil and gas. This reverses the trend seen under previous prime ministers and reflects Rishi Sunak’s insistence that an energy policy should be pragmatic and realistic. 

It also opens up a clear divide with Labour, which has committed to keeping existing licences should it win power but not award new ones. Ed Miliband, Labour’s energy spokesman, immediately denounced the proposed new Bill, adding that “it is precisely our dependence on fossil fuels that has led to the worst cost of living crisis in generations”.

But that is a different point from the need to ensure the security of supply. If Labour wants to be treated seriously as a potential government it needs to understand its importance.