Reform UK Slams Greens Over Net Zero

Reform UK has blasted Green demands to block North Sea drilling as economic illiteracy, warning that abandoning domestic fossil fuels drives up costs for families. According to the Daily Express, energy spokesman Richard Tice condemned the push as complete lunacy.

The political row erupted after the Greens wrote a letter to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh demanding that future drilling in the North Sea be completely ruled out. Critics from the Green camp argued that opening new fields would not lower energy bills and would only serve to benefit shareholders.

Richard Tice Fires Back

Furious at the demands, Reform UK energy spokesman Richard Tice hit back hard in comments reported by the Daily Express. He defended domestic resource extraction as vital for lowering household bills and boosting economic growth.

The Greens are economically illiterate. Instead of drilling the enormous amounts of energy treasure beneath our feet to bring bills down for British families, they have doubled down on making life and business as expensive as possible. This is complete lunacy. We must Drill Britain Drill for cheaper energy and higher growth.

— Richard Tice, Reform UK Energy Spokesman, Daily Express

The debate centres around key North Sea infrastructure such as the Jackdaw gas field, which was approved under the Conservatives but subsequently delayed by legal appeals and environmental assessments.

• Greens demand future North Sea drilling be ruled out
• Reform UK labels policy stance as economic illiteracy
• Government stresses oil and gas remain important for decades

Government officials have reiterated that fossil fuels will remain part of the energy mix during the transition to clean power. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed that decisions will weigh all evidence including environmental assessments.

Original source: Read the full report at Daily Express