Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, has slammed Labour's ban on new North Sea oil and gas licenses as "economic madness" in a Times Radio interview, warning that union members are defecting to Reform UK . his critique arrives as a JL Partners poll finds trade union support for Labour has plunged 20 points since 2024 , now tied with Reform at 28 percent. Smith's intervention underscores a simmering rift between the party and its traditional working-class base over energy transition and living standards.

How a JL Partners poll revealed the 28% union shift

According to the Times Radio interview, Smith pointed to the poll as evidence that Labour is losing its hold on union members. The JL Partners survey shows that Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, now commands equal support among trade unionists, a striking reversal from Labour's dominance in 2024. Smith argued that economic insecurity, depressed living standards, and frustration with energy policy are driving this shift, even though Reform "is no friend of trade unionists." The 20-point drop in Labour's union support is the largest erosion documented in recent polling, making clear that the party's climate stance is costing it votes where it once held a firewall.

Gary Smith's 'economic madness' charge and the Ed Miliband rift

Smith specifically called out Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, with whom he has clashed repeatedly over the ban on new North Sea licenses. He dismissed the government's argument that reversing the ban would not lower domestic energy bills because oil prices are set internationally, calling it "utter nonsense." Smith insisted that sacking thousands of North Sea workers is "economic madness" and leaving the UK dependent on energy imports makes no sense when countries like Norway exploit their resources while transitioning to low-carbon energy.. The GMB, Labour-affiliated and representing energy and manufacturing workers, is directly impacted by these policies... Senior Tory MP Andrew Bowie, shadow Scotland secretary, seized on Smith's remarks, stating that even a Labour union leader admits the party's energy policies are failing Britain.

The open question: can Andy Burnham or another leader win back GMB members?

Smith's warning arrives as internal challenges mount against Labour leadership. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is reportedly considering a bid to challenge Keir Starmer. Smith's comments suggest that whoever leads Labour must listen to working people or risk further defections.. What remains unclear is whether a shift in energy policy — for example, a more phased approach to North Sea licenses — could reverse the trend, or whether deeper economic grievances make the split permanent. smith did not specify what concrete policy change would satisfy him, leaving open whether a compromise on new licenses or a broader industrial strategy is required. The poll also does not reveal how many union members have formally switched party membership, only voting intentions, so the actual organizational impact on Labour may be worse than the numbers indicate.