Environmental group says Pembrokeshire MP’s North Sea stance risks undermining climate policy

PEMBROKESHIRE MP Henry Tufnell has been accused by local environmental campaigners of backing “drill baby drill” tactics over future North Sea oil and gas production.

Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth made the claim after Mr Tufnell wrote an article in The Sun in March criticising the UK Government’s position on new oil and gas drilling.

The group said it wrote to the Labour MP on April 3, challenging his comments and urging him to reconsider his position.

In its letter, the group argued that further North Sea drilling would do little to reduce energy bills or improve energy security, because UK oil and gas prices are linked to international markets.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth said Mr Tufnell’s approach was “supported by the likes of Reform UK and Donald Trump” but rejected by energy and climate experts.

The group said the UK Energy Research Centre had concluded that additional UK oil and gas production would have “negligible impact” on the cost of living, and that the priority should instead be reducing demand and investing in renewable energy.

It also pointed to Climate Change Committee analysis suggesting that job losses in fossil fuel industries would be outweighed by job creation in areas such as renewable energy, retrofitting and electric vehicles.

Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth also criticised Mr Tufnell’s call for the removal of carbon taxes in manufacturing, saying it showed a lack of understanding of the urgency of climate change.

The group said Mr Tufnell had failed to reply to its letter, despite allegedly promising to do so during a face-to-face conversation in Narberth in April.

The spokesperson added: “The fact that the MP has refused to reply to our letter suggests that he either has more respect for a London tabloid newspaper than for his own constituents or is having difficulty justifying the viewpoints he presented in The Sun.”

MP says transition must protect jobs

In response, Mr Tufnell said he was “immensely grateful” for the work of Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth and praised the group’s campaigning on environmental issues.

He said he was proud to have supported the group last month by attending its screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film, which highlighted threats to nature and climate.

Mr Tufnell said Pembrokeshire was “uniquely placed” to lead the clean energy transition, citing floating offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, sustainable aviation fuel and battery storage.

He added that the county was proud of its coastline, rivers and wildlife, and that the community was committed to protecting them.

However, he said the transition to clean energy had to be “a just one”.

Mr Tufnell said: “Pembrokeshire’s energy sector has powered the UK for decades, and still supplies 20% of the country’s energy demand.

“I am calling on the Government to protect our established energy industries by cutting carbon taxes. Failure to act puts jobs and livelihoods in industrial communities like ours at risk.

“Decarbonisation cannot come at the cost of deindustrialisation and greater deprivation in our county.”

He said households and businesses across the UK had felt the impact of conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and argued that Britain must strengthen energy security by making full use of its own resources rather than relying on imports.

Mr Tufnell added: “Oil and gas will remain part of our energy mix for decades to come. It therefore makes sense to use our domestic resources.

“Doing so will not only strengthen our energy security, but support British industry — protecting jobs, boosting tax revenue, cutting our trade deficit and strengthening the economy.

“I will continue to work hard to ensure we have a just energy transition, protecting the jobs and skills base of today, while building the industries of tomorrow.”

THREE Welsh citizens are reported to be among hundreds of activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in the eastern Mediterranean.

UK Global Sumud said Christopher Hill, Hannah Sharpey-Shafer and Richard Johan Anderson were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade.

Organisers said more than 50 boats were intercepted and around 428 participants were detained. Reuters reported that Israeli naval forces stopped the flotilla, transferred activists to Ashdod port and then to Ketziot prison in southern Israel. Israel said the group was trying to breach its blockade and would be given consular access.

Cal Rosie, head of press for UK Global Sumud, said the Welsh participants had been “taken against their will” and that supporters were “extremely concerned” about their welfare.

She said: “Christopher Hill, Hannah Sharpey-Shafer, and Richard Johan Anderson were attempting to bring life-saving aid to Gaza and break the illegal Israeli siege when the entire flotilla of more than 50 boats was attacked and all participants were detained and taken against their will to Israel.

“We have received extremely distressing videos and images of the conditions the participants are being kept in and the brutal treatment they are receiving, and we are incredibly concerned for Chris, Hannie, and Richard.”

The group is calling for urgent UK Government and Foreign Office intervention to secure the release and safe return of British citizens involved in the flotilla.

The Herald has contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment.

Accountancy body says its members can help support economic growth across Wales

ACCA CYMRU/WALES has congratulated Plaid Cymru on forming the new Welsh Government and Rhun ap Iorwerth on his appointment as First Minister.

The accountancy body said it hoped to work with ministers to support economic growth, improve productivity and help businesses meet Wales’ climate ambitions.

In its pre-election policy asks, ACCA Cymru/Wales called for action to address skills shortages, attract new businesses and increase productivity through expanded apprenticeships and funded short courses.

It also said employers should have a stronger voice at national and regional level.

The organisation has urged the new Welsh Government to create a stronger economy through business support, access to funding, engagement with key business advisers and efforts to minimise costs and regulation.

ACCA Cymru/Wales also called for improvements in public finance, including multi-year funding and better support for finance professionals.

It said ministers should develop a clear route map to help businesses, especially SMEs, take further action to meet Wales’ climate targets.

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said: “In Wales, ACCA has a thriving community of over 6,400 members and students working in all sectors of the economy and in all parts of the country, supporting businesses and organisations of all sizes.

“We hope that our expertise, insights and research can support the work of the new government to grow the economy of Wales and build a better Wales.”

Pictured: Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales