Top Tory tells Keir Starmer to ditch ‘bizarre’ energy policy as pressure mounts on PM to make U-turn

Conservative MP Helen Whately has said Labour needs a “wake-up call” on its energy policies as Keir Starmer faces increased calls to perform an extraordinary U-turn.

Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary conceded that she agreed with Tony Blair, who called on the Prime Minister to rip up Net Zero targets and slash the welfare budget.

“The Labour Party certainly needs a wake-up call,” she began.

“Ed Miliband, what we should be doing is exploiting our own resources, our own oil and gas in the North Sea, not doing what he's doing, which is saying to stop exploiting that and throw all the money at renewables.

“Yes, renewables are an important part of our energy mix, but it's crazy not to be making use of our own oil and gas on this.

“Actually, I agree with Tony Blair,” she conceded.

The Government has been unwilling to shift its stance on not opening new extraction sites in the North Sea.

Defending the decision, Sir Keir has claimed oil and gas drilling in the North Sea would “not take a penny off” bills, while also being environmentally unsustainable.

Mrs Whately rejected the Prime Minister’s framing, arguing that the North Sea was essential to “increase our energy security”.

“It's bizarre to not be using our own oil and gas,” she exclaimed.

“We live in a dangerous world. Energy security is a really important part of our overall security as a country.”

The Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary joined a chorus of calls for the Prime Minister to reverse his stance on the issue.

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As well as an intervention from the former Labour Prime Minister, Sir Keir is said to be facing intense internal pressure to change.

“People keep saying that it 'won't take a penny off bills'. But if it improves your balance of payments, it helps your currency, potentially letting you get money for all sorts of goods,” a Whitehall source said.

“Even small changes make a difference at scale. It might get us a few more solar panels and batteries for the same price, too,” they told The Times.

Another added: “There's a growing feeling that we've boxed ourselves in with a line that's technically true but politically useless.”

Ms Whately also backed another criticism flagged by Sir Tony on the nation’s ballooning welfare bill.

“While they're making it harder for young people to get into work, they're also doing nothing to reform welfare.

“The benefit system is actually more generous than many job opportunities. It's harder to get a job but easier to get onto welfare.

She insisted: “The Government should be reforming that too. But that's something they've totally failed to do anything about.”