Lead

As the UK swelters under a second heatwave this year, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has issued a stark warning to the Labour party: backsliding on climate action would be a moral and political failure that could drive the party into political obscurity. His comments come as Labour prepares for a leadership transition, with Andy Burnham widely expected to become the next prime minister on 17 July, and as a fierce debate rages within the party and the trade union movement over the future of North Sea oil and gas drilling.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from The Guardian highlights the deep divisions within Labour and its affiliated unions over climate policy, particularly the role of Ed Miliband, the energy secretary and a frontrunner to succeed Rachel Reeves as chancellor. The debate was ignited by Unite leader Sharon Graham, who told the Sunday Times that Miliband's fierce commitment to net zero would be a "noose around the neck" of job creation. Graham advocates new licences for North Sea oil and gas extraction, a position also held by the GMB union.

In response, more than 40 progressive economists, including Kate Pickett, author of The Spirit Level, and Danny Dorling, have written an open letter to Graham urging her to withdraw her remarks. They argue that the climate transition is one of the largest drivers of industrial job creation in the UK economy, pointing to a net zero economy that generates output worth over £100bn and employs over a million workers.

Polanski's warning, reported by The Guardian, adds a further dimension. He urged Burnham to be bold on climate justice, saying that any move to water down the party's commitments would have dire consequences at the ballot box. "Half measures or backsliding on climate action would be a moral and political failure from Andy Burnham. He has the chance to be bold, and failing to do so will see our country get poorer and his party slip further into obscurity," he said.

The debate over oil and gas has also prompted a leadership challenge within the UK's second biggest union. Simon Dubbins, an international director with Unite since 2008, will announce on Tuesday that he has secured the required number of nominations to challenge Graham as general secretary, over claims the union is not doing enough to challenge the rise of Reform UK. Dubbins' team say they have the backing of more than 250 workplaces, including some of the union's largest branches.

Key Claims

  • Andy Burnham is expected to become Labour leader on 17 July.
  • Ed Miliband used a speech at London Climate Week to hail the benefits of investment in green energy for jobs and growth.
  • Sharon Graham advocates new licences for North Sea oil and gas extraction and has said Miliband's net zero commitment would be a "noose around the neck" of job creation.
  • More than 40 progressive economists have written to Graham rejecting her claim that Miliband would destroy jobs if he becomes the next chancellor.
  • The net zero economy generates output worth over £100bn and employs over a million workers.
  • The number of jobs supported by the oil and gas industry has more than halved in the last decade, from 441,000 to 214,000.
  • Statistics show between 90% and 93% of all viable oil and gas has already been drained from the North Sea basin.
  • Other unions, including Unison, say a Burnham government must double down on its climate plans to secure a fair and sustainable future.
  • Sharon Graham is to face a challenge as general secretary over claims the union is not doing enough to challenge the rise of Reform UK.
  • Simon Dubbins will announce a challenge to Graham's leadership, with his team claiming the backing of more than 250 workplaces.

Perspectives

Zack Polanski / Green Party: Polanski warns that backsliding on climate action would be a moral and political failure for Labour, driving the party into obscurity and making the country poorer.

Sharon Graham / Unite: Graham supports new North Sea oil and gas licences and argues that Miliband's net zero commitment would be a "noose around the neck" of job creation, emphasizing concerns about jobs, skills, and national security.

Progressive economists: Over 40 economists, including Kate Pickett and Danny Dorling, reject Graham's claim, arguing that the net zero economy is a major driver of job creation and that there is no alternative to the green transition. They say Miliband is right to oppose further expansion of North Sea oil and gas.

Simon Dubbins / Unite challenger: Dubbins argues that Unite has failed to challenge Reform UK effectively and has a "unique responsibility" to win workers back from the "false promises" of Nigel Farage. His campaign says members are tired of old divisions and a leadership "more obsessed with playing political games than stopping job losses."