The demonstration, held at Walthamstow Village Square today (13th November), was part of a UK-wide Stop Rosebank Day of Action, which saw protesters take to MP’s offices across the country, reports Marco Marcelline
Environmental campaigners in Walthamstow held a demonstration against new North Sea oil and gas drilling this morning (13th Novemner).
The demonstration, held at Walthamstow Village Square, was part of a UK-wide Stop Rosebank Day of Action, which saw protesters take to MP’s offices across the country.
The government is expected to make a final decision on the Rosebank oil field by mid-December, a move which has caused a split among Labour MPs, with over 80, including Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy, having signed a pledge opposing it.
Labour’s manifesto during the 2024 general election pledged not to “issue new licences to explore new fields”.
Licences for both Jackdaw and Rosebank were granted by the then Conservative-led government in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
But last year Scotland’s highest civil court ruled that the government had made the approvals unlawfully, forcing Labour to make a fresh decision on the matter.
In October, the energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh approved Jackdaw, dismaying environmental campaigners and MPs who staunchly opposed the move.
At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (12th November), Andy Burnham said a decision on Rosebank will be taken “in due course”, having chosen not to take an explicit stance on the issue.
The Conservative Party, which backs an expansion of North Sea drilling, says Rosebank would reduce reliance on imports of gas from abroad, and contribute to energy security.
However, campaigners argue that Rosebank will not lower energy bills or improve energy security in the UK, as at least 80% of the field’s reserves are oil for export.
Around 40 residents turned out at the Walthamstow protest today, including local members of Parents for Future.
Campaigner Kate Logan said: “We are here because we are tired of the government dragging its feet on doing what the scientists keep telling us is essential for humanity’s survival: stop extracting and burning fossil fuels!
“We are here to send a message to Andy Burnham: put people before the oil industry and say no to Rosebank!”
Speaking in parliament last month, Creasy said that opening new North sea gasfields was “incompatible” with achieving the Paris climate agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5c.
Speaking to energy minister Michael Shanks MP, Creasy said: “Jackdaw alone is worth 35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, and Rosebank a further 250 million tonnes.
“What can he say to my constituents in Walthamstow who are still clearing up after the wildfires that burned down their homes and damaged their houses, and are now terrified about flooding from El Niño, about how this decision [on Jackdaw]… will help to protect their future?”
Rosie Latchford, campaigner at Stop Rosebank said: “This past summer, the UK suffered record-breaking heatwaves and wildfires – all fuelled by fossil fuels. Now, as winter sets in, millions are worrying about staying warm this winter due to soaring oil and gas prices.
“Rosebank just makes all of this worse. It will make no meaningful difference to UK energy security, will do nothing to lower household energy bills, and the vast climate pollution it generates will exacerbate the extreme weather we are already seeing.
“All it will do is give even more money to ‘Big Oil’, who’ve already made billions at our expense.
“Andy Burnham promised to stand with ordinary people, not corporate profiteers. The only way to lower bills and secure a safe climate for generations to come is to break free from the fossil fuel rollercoaster. Labour must step up and stop Rosebank.”
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