The general secretary of the GMB trade union, Gary Smith, has launched a scathing attack on the Labour government's energy policy, arguing it's pushing his members towards the Reform UK party.

The $30 million toe in the water

The Labour government's stance against North Sea oil and gas extraction has been described as 'economic madness' by Smith, who claims it's a disaster for working people.

Smith emphasized that the policy on North Sea oil and gas is closing factories, reducing investment,and eliminating jobs, and that no other country, inccluding Norway, is pursuing such a policy.

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Recent polling data from JL Partners indicates that support for Reform among trade union members has reached parity with Labour, each party holding 28 percent backing.

This represents a 20-point decline for Labour among this demographic since 2024, and Smith attributed this shift to economic insecurity, widespread anger about the economy, and frustrations over declining liiving standards.

An echo of Sydney's 2024 institutional buy-up

The GMB union's official affiliation to the Labour party has not stopped its members from abandoning the party, with Smith expressing understanding for this shift.

He called for a stronger commitment to raising living standards, returning jobs and industry to the country, and reconsidering the imapct of current energy policy.

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Smith dismissed the government's argument that reversing the ban on new North Sea production would not lower domestic energy bills because oil prices are set internationally, calling it 'utter nonsense'.

He argued that sacking thousands of North Sea workers is economic madness and that increasing dependence on energy imports is illogical.

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

Conservative shadow Scotland secretary Andrew Bowie seized on Smith's comments, stating they expose the failure of Labour's energy policies.

Bowie accused Labour of killing investment, costing jobs , and increasing dependence on foreign energy, and argued that North Sea oil and gas are crucial for energy security in the North East.

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Smith urged Labour to recognize the political and economic consequences of its approach, and to reconsider its stance on North Sea oil and gas extraction.

He emphasized that the policy on North Sea oil and gas is closing factories, reducing investment,and eliminating jobs, and that no other country, including Norway, is pursuing such a policy.