Blair Urges Labour to Reverse North Sea Oil Drilling Ban

Former UK Prime Minister says new licenses and lower taxes are needed to boost energy security and public support for climate action.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister, has called on the current Labour government to reverse its ban on new licenses for oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. In a report from his think tank, the Tony Blair Institute, Blair argues that new licenses should be granted with a focus on commercially viable and less carbon-intensive projects that are compatible with a declining long-term production profile. The report also criticizes Labour's pledge to deliver "clean power by 2030" as "climate theatre" rather than "climate leadership", saying the plan has become an "exercise in measuring the wrong achievements".

Why it matters

The debate over North Sea oil and gas production highlights the tensions between energy security, economic interests, and climate change goals. Blair's intervention echoes calls from former US President Donald Trump to make greater use of the North Sea's energy reserves. This reflects a broader debate about the role of fossil fuels during the energy transition.

The details

Blair's think tank, the Tony Blair Institute, has called on the Labour government to lift its ban on new exploration licenses for oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. The report argues that new licenses should be granted with a focus on projects that are commercially viable, less carbon-intensive than imported alternatives, and compatible with a declining long-term production profile. The report also criticizes Labour's pledge to deliver "clean power by 2030", describing it as "climate theatre" rather than "climate leadership" and saying the plan has become an "exercise in measuring the wrong achievements".

  • In January 2023, former US President Donald Trump criticized the UK for making it "impossible for the oil companies to go" in the North Sea.
  • In February 2026, Tony Blair's think tank released the report calling on the Labour government to reverse its ban on new North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses.

The players

Tony Blair

The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and founder of the Tony Blair Institute, a think tank that has called for the reversal of the Labour government's ban on new North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses.

Sir Keir Starmer

The current leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who has committed to plans to phase out production of oil and gas in the North Sea.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has described the North Sea as "one of the greatest reserves anywhere in the world" and criticized the UK for making it "impossible for the oil companies to go".

Ed Miliband

The current Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the Labour government, who is leading the effort to ensure almost all of Britain's electricity comes from clean sources by 2030.

Tony Blair Institute (TBI)

A think tank founded by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair that has released a report calling for the reversal of the Labour government's ban on new North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses.

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What they’re saying

“New licences should be granted a clear framework, focused on projects that are commercially viable, less carbon-intensive than imported alternatives and compatible with a declining long-term production profile.”

— Tony Blair Institute (msn.com)

“This is not about slowing the transition or denying the direction of travel – it is about making the transition governable. An energy strategy that ignores revenue, security and political consent in pursuit of symbolic purity will not endure – and it will not deliver the climate outcomes it promises.”

— Tony Blair Institute (msn.com)

“The United Kingdom produces just one-third of the total energy from all sources that it did in 1999 – think of that, one-third – and they're sitting on top of the North Sea, one of the greatest reserves anywhere in the world, but they don't use it, and that's one reason why their energy has reached catastrophically low levels with equally high prices.”

— Donald Trump, Former US President (msn.com)

What’s next

The Labour government will need to consider the recommendations from the Tony Blair Institute and weigh the trade-offs between energy security, economic interests, and climate change goals as it decides whether to reverse the ban on new North Sea oil and gas drilling licenses.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing tensions between fossil fuel production, the energy transition, and public support for climate action. As the UK navigates these complex issues, finding the right balance will be crucial for ensuring a sustainable and equitable energy future.