Labour will 'pay the price' of Ed Miliband's North Sea drilling failure as union leaders warn Net Zero will 'cost seats'

Labour will "pay the price" due to Ed Miliband's North Sea drilling failure as union leaders have warned Net Zero policies will "cost seats" for the party.

Unite has apparently come for the Energy Secretary, demanding the Government starts drilling in the North Sea or face electoral humiliation in May's local elections.

Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, reportedly said the resistance to take advantage of UK oil and gas is harming the Labour Party, particularly ahead of the local elections and when households are feeling the blowback of the Iran war in their pockets as oil prices soar.

This "stark message" comes as unions across the country turn on the Government's Net Zero programme, the Express reports.

Ms Graham reportedly said: "The Government's energy policies in both Westminster and Holyrood are putting jobs and energy security at risk.

"This is an act of self-harm, and Labour will certainly pay the price in the May elections.

"Unite has a clear and stark message as energy bills rocket due to the Iran war – we must keep the North Sea working and fund a concrete plan for jobs.

"Voters can see that it is a big mistake to let go of one rope before we have hold of another."

This is the latest aim at the Energy Secretary's reluctance on the issue - GMB general secretary, Gary Smith, demanded over the weekend a total reassessment of Net Zero.

Politicians in Westminster, including the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have also been applying pressure on Mr Miliband to back oil and gas exploration on home-turf to alleviate the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Ms Reeves said she was would "very happy" if work began on Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields.

What is happening in UK politics today?

Good morning and welcome to the GB News Politics blog. Here's what is happening in Westminster and beyond today...

Resident doctors begin six days of strike action in their long-running pay dispute with the Government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting joined us this morning - write up to follow.

The Government is also announcing two new measures to tackle knife crime today, including a £1.2 million investment in specialist training in schools and a £26 million surge in police operations targeting knife crime hotspots.

Reform UK's Nigel Farage holds what is billed as an "important" press conference this afternoon in Warwickshire, we'll bring you the details as they emerge.

And pressure is mounting on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to ban Kanye West from entering the UK to headline Wireless Festival, with Sir Keir Starmer calling the booking "deeply concerning".

On GB News this morning, we'll be hearing from Shadow Crime Minister Matt Vickers and Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's Home Affairs Spokesperson.

Stay tuned for all things politics.