Labour warning: Just Stop Oil 'eco-zealots' are writing Starmer's energy policy says Sunak
The Labour Party’s energy policy is being written by eco-zealots from Just Stop Oil, claims Rishi Sunak
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched a scathing attack on Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party after they revealed plans to end North Sea gas and oil exploration, which the PM described as "completely bizarre."
The current PM claims the Labour leader has allowed the party's energy policy to be written by "eco-zealots" with Vladimir Putin set to benefit if the plans were ever put into effect.
Sunak suggested Labour's plans to end North Sea oil and gas exploration amounted to an "energy surrender" putting ideology ahead of jobs.
The Prime Minister said: "It does appear that these kind of eco-zealots at Just Stop Oil are writing Keir Starmer's energy policy and, not content with disrupting our summer and cherished sporting events, they are essentially leading us into an energy surrender.
Mr Sunak said the decision to ban future North Sea oil and gas drilling was "bizarre"
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"My view is we should focus on energy security, not weakness and dependency which seems to be the Labour Party's policy.
“They are putting ideology ahead of jobs, ahead of investment, and ahead of our energy security.
“I think that is wrong.
"It is a completely bizarre policy which says 'we won't ban oil and gas; we will just ban British oil and gas'.
"The only people that benefit from Keir Starmer's energy policy are dictators and autocrats like Vladimir Putin."
It comes after Labour has pledged to ban new licences for oil and gas production in the UK.
Dale Vince, a major donor to campaign group Just Stop Oil, has also given Labour more than £1.4million but has denied any connection between the two, saying he gives money to "people in the world trying to do something good".
However, Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands has called for Labour to return donations, arguing it legitimises Just Stop Oil's tactics.
Mr Vince's green energy firm Ecotricity has donated more than £1.4m to Labour since 2014
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Labour said that Sir Keir has been "outspoken in his condemnation" of Just Stop Oil "who he believes have put lives and livelihoods at risk."
"The idea that they have influenced our policy is for the birds" a Labour spokesperson said.
"The modern Labour Party doesn't bow to fringe lobbies or extremists.
"Every position we take and everything we do is firmly focused on providing security and opportunity for hard working Brits."
Labour is expected to set out full details of its green energy plan next week.