This is really catch-up on an item I had intended posting earlier. The debate, however, on this issue runs on. Drilling in the North Sea's Rosebank oilfield was curtailed, when a judge ruled that the environmental impact (given carbon zero commitments) of its output, hadn't been properly considered by government. The then UK opposition, strongly supported this position and pledged to ban drilling in new fossil fuel locations. Now, in government, the same party suggest drilling might be allowed in Rosebank, as it isn't 'new' (in the sense of being a new discovery) (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/03/pm-faces-growing-internal-backlash-over-potential-approval-of-rosebank-oilfield). This potential change of policy seems calculated to boost the new government's 'pro-growth' mantra. Economically, however, exploiting Rosebank wouldn't improve the UK's situation much. It would do nothing for people's cost of living expenses or energy security (the oil and gas would be sold on the international market). It's trading an environmental pledge for a business soundbite. This kind of volte face further damages any belief in political statements.
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