Caroline Lucas Takes a Stand: Say No to New Oil & Gas Licences
Green MP Caroline Lucas recently fired on all cylinders in the House of Commons, urging the government to put a permanent stop on awarding new oil and gas licences. Her main point? It’s a double‑edged sword—costs the taxpayer and hurts the climate.
Why New Licences Might Be a Disaster
- Market Prices Rule: Oil and gas are traded globally; the UK doesn’t get a discount, so the money just fades into the world market.
- No Energy Security Boost: Lucas insists newly‑issued licences would “simply won’t deliver energy security.” She calls them a “cheap ticket” to a climate catastrophe.
- Taxpayer Pain: Bigger budgets for fossil fuels = more money pulled from the purse of ordinary citizens.
Lucas’s Pitch for a Sustainable Future
She pushed back, asking the government what “real” measures it plans to adopt:
- Street‑by‑street home insulation programme—the ultimate blanket.
- “Unblocking” onshore wind; nothing about question marks or policy loopholes.
- Installing solar panels on every roof—a sunflower of energy for all.
Energy Secretary’s “Bonkers” Stand‑off
Grant Shapps, the Energy Secretary, fired back with fireworks of a different kind, labeling Lucas’s policy bold, yet “bonkers.”
- He highlighted the progress made in home insulation—going from 14% under the previous government to nearly 50% this year.
- He slammed the idea that “importing all of the oil and gas by not giving new licences” is insane—worse than a political kettle‑of‑foolishness.
- Shapps warned that such a stance “would mean every single family in Britain” could fall into a new climate tyranny.
The Deep‑Wound on Onshore Wind
Shadow Energy Minister Alan Whitehead called out the government’s broken promise on offshore wind. Since February 2022, only two projects have gone live, and community engagement is said to be dead on.
Additionally, Whitehead questioned the official opposition’s claim over a “ban lift” that was supposed by the end of April, noting it still stands. Whitehead added that the government will probably only offer minimal relaxation in planning rules, effectively keeping the onshore wind ban in place.
Public Opinion—Andrew Bowie’s Take
Andrew Bowie blasted the lag in renewable growth, noting how after Labour left office in 2010 renewables under 7% now sit at 43%—though he cautions that consultation is nearing its end on July 7 and that official plans may change.
All in all, Lucas’s “rule out new licences” stance is a call for a more courageous, climate‑first UK. Will the government walk away from the oil lottery? Hang tight—this story is still unfolding.
