Starmer Defends Use of Private Jet for Energy Plan Announcement

[Social Media]

 

Sir Keir Starmer recently faced scrutiny for his use of a private jet to travel to Scotland, where he announced Labour’s new energy plans. This move sparked criticism, particularly given Labour's past condemnation of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for similar travel choices. Despite the backlash, Starmer defended the decision, stating that it was the most efficient way for his team to travel and that they always offset carbon emissions from their flights.

 

In Scotland, Starmer unveiled his vision for GB Energy, a state-owned company aimed at investing in green projects to ensure domestic energy supplies and reduce household bills. He emphasized that his administration would not abruptly halt oil and gas production, asserting that these resources would remain part of the UK's energy mix for years to come. "We are not turning off the taps on oil and gas. Oil and gas will be part of the mix for many years, and we are not revoking any licences," Starmer told Sky News' Tamara Cohen.

 

However, Starmer acknowledged the necessity of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to avoid repeating the economic and social fallout experienced during the coal mine closures under Margaret Thatcher’s government. "The worst thing we can do now is do what Rishi Sunak is doing and put our head in the sand. That’s what happened when coal was coming to an end and we are still paying the price in communities across Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom," he remarked. "I am not prepared to let that happen under a future Labour government. This is about the next generation of jobs, and the generation after that."

 

GB Energy, to be headquartered in Scotland, will focus on investing in renewable energy projects rather than generating energy itself. Starmer promised to have the company operational within months of Labour assuming power, with initial investments targeting wind and solar projects. As the firm expands, it will explore technologies like floating offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture, positioning Scotland as a leader in cutting-edge energy technologies.

 

The Labour leader’s plans received support from Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s pandemic-era scientific adviser, who highlighted the anticipated benefits of GB Energy, including lower energy bills, job creation, innovative business opportunities, energy security, and climate leadership.

 

Nevertheless, Labour’s proposal has not been without controversy. Unions representing workers in the oil and gas sector, traditionally Labour supporters, have voiced concerns over potential job losses. Unite and other organizations have called for more detailed and expedited plans to ensure a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel industry. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has echoed these concerns, claiming that up to 100,000 jobs could be at risk. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes criticized the Labour plan, stating, "With about £20bn worth of revenue set to flow from the northeast over to the Treasury in the coming six years, I don't think Scotland should be somehow grateful that GB Energy should be based in Scotland."

 

The announcement also faced ridicule from the Conservative Party, which mocked the new GB Energy logo as unoriginal and claimed it was copied from a New York-based advertising firm. Richard Holden, Conservative Party chairman, criticized Starmer’s approach, saying, "Nothing better illustrates Starmerism than the fact Sir Keir has flown on a private jet to Scotland, to launch a stock logo of something u-turning in on itself, for an energy company which won't produce any energy - that's not a plan to keep our energy secure and our country protected from Putin."

 

Despite these criticisms, Starmer remained firm on his stance, asserting that the Labour party is committed to a balanced and forward-looking energy policy that includes both traditional and renewable energy sources, ensuring a smooth transition and protecting jobs while aiming for long-term sustainability and energy security.

 

Credit: Sky News 2024-06-01

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[thaibeachlovers]

 

 

Interesting that Starmer is so arrogant that he didn't wait to be elected before giving the finger salute to the voters.

[Snackbar]

UK’s imploding 

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Starmer defended the decision, stating that they always offset carbon emissions from their flights.

By doing what? Scrubbing the atmosphere?

[Thingamabob]

Hard to imagine Starmer, a dull, boring, two-faced creep with a charisma by-pass,  being PM.

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Sir Keir Starmer recently faced scrutiny for his use of a private jet to travel to Scotland, where he announced Labour’s new energy plans. This move sparked criticism, particularly given Labour's past condemnation of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for similar travel choices. Despite the backlash, Starmer defended the decision, stating that it was the most efficient way for his team to travel and that they always offset carbon emissions from their flights.

 

In Scotland, Starmer unveiled his vision for GB Energy, a state-owned company aimed at investing in green projects to ensure domestic energy supplies and reduce household bills. He emphasized that his administration would not abruptly halt oil and gas production, asserting that these resources would remain part of the UK's energy mix for years to come. "We are not turning off the taps on oil and gas. Oil and gas will be part of the mix for many years, and we are not revoking any licences," Starmer told Sky News' Tamara Cohen.

 

However, Starmer acknowledged the necessity of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to avoid repeating the economic and social fallout experienced during the coal mine closures under Margaret Thatcher’s government. "The worst thing we can do now is do what Rishi Sunak is doing and put our head in the sand. That’s what happened when coal was coming to an end and we are still paying the price in communities across Scotland and the whole of the United Kingdom," he remarked. "I am not prepared to let that happen under a future Labour government. This is about the next generation of jobs, and the generation after that."

 

GB Energy, to be headquartered in Scotland, will focus on investing in renewable energy projects rather than generating energy itself. Starmer promised to have the company operational within months of Labour assuming power, with initial investments targeting wind and solar projects. As the firm expands, it will explore technologies like floating offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture, positioning Scotland as a leader in cutting-edge energy technologies.

 

The Labour leader’s plans received support from Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s pandemic-era scientific adviser, who highlighted the anticipated benefits of GB Energy, including lower energy bills, job creation, innovative business opportunities, energy security, and climate leadership.

 

Nevertheless, Labour’s proposal has not been without controversy. Unions representing workers in the oil and gas sector, traditionally Labour supporters, have voiced concerns over potential job losses. Unite and other organizations have called for more detailed and expedited plans to ensure a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel industry. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has echoed these concerns, claiming that up to 100,000 jobs could be at risk. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes criticized the Labour plan, stating, "With about £20bn worth of revenue set to flow from the northeast over to the Treasury in the coming six years, I don't think Scotland should be somehow grateful that GB Energy should be based in Scotland."

 

The announcement also faced ridicule from the Conservative Party, which mocked the new GB Energy logo as unoriginal and claimed it was copied from a New York-based advertising firm. Richard Holden, Conservative Party chairman, criticized Starmer’s approach, saying, "Nothing better illustrates Starmerism than the fact Sir Keir has flown on a private jet to Scotland, to launch a stock logo of something u-turning in on itself, for an energy company which won't produce any energy - that's not a plan to keep our energy secure and our country protected from Putin."

 

Despite these criticisms, Starmer remained firm on his stance, asserting that the Labour party is committed to a balanced and forward-looking energy policy that includes both traditional and renewable energy sources, ensuring a smooth transition and protecting jobs while aiming for long-term sustainability and energy security.

 

Credit: Sky News 2024-06-01

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Can't wait to see Starmer taking the lead 👏🙏👍🤗

[JonnyF]

Typical elitist champagne socialist. I'm surprised Harry wasn't on board on his way to preach about climate change. 

 

Daddy was a tool maker (in the factory he owned).

 

God help us if they win.

 

I heard Diane Abacus is making a comeback as well. 😄

[PETERTHEEATER]

4 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Can't wait to see Starmer taking the lead 👏🙏👍🤗

Who will fit his dog collar?