US President Donald Trump has waded into a political dispute over North Sea oil and gas, warning that the United Kingdom will become a «poverty stricken disaster» unless it approves new drilling licences. The intervention came just hours before Sir Keir Starmer is expected to become Prime Minister, following a decisive Labour Party general election victory.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr Trump claimed that the expected announcement on new drilling would prevent Britain from falling into economic decline. He wrote that people would be «dancing in the streets» after what he described as a reported decision by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to back new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.
The President’s remarks appear to reference a policy shift that has been anticipated since Labour’s landslide win. During the election campaign, Labour had signalled a more cautious approach to fossil fuel extraction, promising to block new licences for oil and gas exploration as part of its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, in recent days, reports have suggested that Sir Keir may adopt a more pragmatic stance, potentially fast-tracking some existing projects to ensure energy security and protect jobs in the North Sea industry.
Mr Trump’s intervention is unusual in its timing and tone, coming as the UK prepares for a change of government after 14 years of Conservative rule. The President has previously expressed admiration for Sir Keir, describing him as a «very nice person» during a recent interview. However, his latest comments are likely to be seen as an attempt to influence British energy policy at a critical moment.
The North Sea oil and gas sector has been a major source of controversy in British politics. Environmental groups argue that continued drilling is incompatible with the UK’s climate commitments, while industry representatives and trade unions warn that a rapid halt to new projects would lead to job losses and undermine energy independence. The sector directly employs around 30,000 people, with many more jobs dependent on the supply chain.
Labour’s position on North Sea drilling has been closely watched by investors and energy companies. During the campaign, the party pledged to create a publicly owned clean energy company, Great British Energy, and to invest heavily in renewable energy sources such as offshore wind and solar power. However, it also acknowledged the need for a «managed transition» away from fossil fuels, leaving room for some existing projects to proceed.
The President’s warning that the UK could become a «poverty stricken disaster» without new drilling reflects his long-standing support for fossil fuel industries and his scepticism of climate policies that he argues harm economic growth. Mr Trump has made energy dominance a cornerstone of his political platform, frequently criticising countries that restrict oil and gas production.
Downing Street has not yet responded to Mr Trump’s comments. A spokesperson for the Labour Party declined to comment on the President’s remarks, saying that energy policy would be set out in due course by the new government. Sir Keir is expected to make his first major policy announcements in the coming days, with energy and the economy likely to be top priorities.
The row over North Sea drilling is set to be one of the first significant tests for the incoming Labour administration. Balancing the demands of environmental campaigners, who want a swift end to fossil fuel extraction, with the concerns of workers and businesses in the energy sector will require careful political navigation. Mr Trump’s intervention adds an international dimension to what is already a highly charged domestic debate.
Industry analysts have noted that the UK’s energy mix is changing rapidly. Renewable sources now account for a growing share of electricity generation, while North Sea oil and gas output has been declining for years. However, the UK still relies on fossil fuels for heating, transport, and industrial processes, and imports a significant portion of its gas from abroad. Supporters of new drilling argue that domestic production reduces reliance on foreign imports and supports British jobs.
Environmental groups have condemned Mr Trump’s comments, accusing him of promoting a dangerous agenda that ignores the urgency of the climate crisis. Greenpeace UK described the President’s intervention as «unhelpful and misguided», while Friends of the Earth called on the new government to resist pressure from fossil fuel interests and stick to its climate commitments.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Sir Keir Starmer’s government will indeed fast-track North Sea drilling projects or maintain a more restrictive stance. The outcome will have significant implications for the UK’s energy policy, its climate targets, and its relationship with the United States under a potential second Trump presidency.
