Here in Hemel, Bovingdon, Chipperfield and Flaunden, we know how important affordable energy, secure jobs and a strong economy are for local families and businesses. That is why Hemel Conservatives are deeply concerned by the Labour Government’s latest decisions on Britain’s energy future.
On the very same day Labour MPs voted against protecting the North Sea oil and gas industry, the Government also announced it would lift sanctions on Russian oil products.
Like many people across Hemel Hempstead, we are asking a simple question first raised by Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch: “Why is oil from Russia acceptable, but oil from Aberdeen not?”
Labour’s approach makes no sense. Britain will still need oil and gas for years to come. Shutting down our own energy production will not reduce demand, it will simply force us to import more fuel from abroad, often with higher emissions and at greater cost.
At a time when household budgets remain under pressure, families in the Hemel and the villages deserve policies that strengthen Britain’s economy and energy security, not weaken them.
That is why Conservatives forced a vote in Parliament to:
- Protect the North Sea oil and gas industry
- Approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields
- Remove the Carbon Tax threatening Britain’s remaining oil refineries
These proposals would help protect around 200,000 jobs, secure Britain’s ability to produce its own diesel and jet fuel, and generate billions in tax revenue that could help lower taxes and reduce bills. Shamefully, over 300 Labour MPs voted against these measures.
Other opposition parties also failed to stand up for British industry. Reform UK claims to support North Sea oil extraction, yet only one Reform MP attended the vote. The SNP failed to vote altogether, while the Liberal Democrats abstained.
Here in Hemel, we believe Britain should back British workers, British industry and British energy.
The Conservative Party remains the only party with a serious plan to strengthen the economy, support working people and protect our national energy security.
Working alongside ordinary people across the country, Conservatives have already forced Labour into multiple U-turns, including on Winter Fuel Payments, the Family Farm Tax, mandatory Digital ID proposals and plans for a social media ban for children.
Hemel Conservatives will continue fighting for lower bills, secure jobs and a stronger Britain that backs British oil, not Russian imports that fund Putin's war machine.
