Overview
- GMB general secretary Gary Smith publicly escalated his criticism of Labour’s Net Zero and North Sea policy over the weekend, calling the party’s stance “economic madness” and saying it is closing factories and costing jobs.
- Smith warned that his union’s members are being driven toward Reform UK and other right‑wing options, a claim linked in coverage to a JL Partners poll reported this weekend that put Labour and Reform tied at 28% among union members.
- The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero rejected calls for new North Sea licences, saying additional exploration would not improve bills or energy security and defending a shift to homegrown clean power.
- Smith also accused Labour of failing to deliver promised green jobs at scale and argued much renewable manufacturing and components are being imported from China rather than made in Britain.
- The row has widened internal pressure on Labour over energy and jobs policy and could have electoral consequences in oil and gas communities such as Aberdeen and parts of the north‑east, with commentators noting it feeds questions about party leadership and strategy.