Sir Keir Starmer today gave a commitment to the oil and gas industry being part of the “energy mix” in response to Donald Trump’s latest criticism of wind energy.
The US president told a media briefing that “wind is a disaster” and the windmills are “ugly monsters” creating the most expensive form of energy. He said he would not allow them in the US.
Aberdeen has “some of the ugliest windmills you’ve ever seen”, he said, adding that the UK can instead get oil and gas out of the North Sea, which he said would be cheaper and less ugly.
“You can take a thousand times more energy from hold this big,” he said, holding his hands about a metre apart. He said the blades on the windmills [turbines] start to rot after eight years because of the salt and it is hard to replace them.
The Prime Minister interjected by saying “oil and gas is going to be part of the mix. We need to make sure we get energy security.
“In the long run, the only way to reduce energy prices is to take control.”
His comments will help reassure those in the oil and gas industry that they still have a part to play, but they will want him to go further by easing back on the energy profits levy and slowing the transition in order to encourage investment in the industry and retain jobs. The Prime Minister is due to meet energy industry leaders in Aberdeen on Tuesday.
In response, David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said: “It is good to hear this clear recognition from the Prime Minister that the UK will need a diverse energy mix and that oil and gas remain essential to the UK’s energy future. We’ve long said that this is not a choice between renewables or oil and gas – we need both.
“The UK must not increase its reliance on imported energy. If we are going to use oil and gas, let’s produce it here – responsibly, with lower emissions, and with all the benefits to jobs, taxes and growth that come from homegrown supply.
“What matters even more is action. We now need to see that recognition translate into decisions that back the UK’s offshore energy sector, support jobs, and secure investment in oil, gas, wind, hydrogen and carbon capture.”
The president hailed the UK’s proposed Rolls-Royce nuclear plants, saying “I love that” and “what a great brand that is”.
He declared that nuclear energy is “safe” and “inexpensive”. Sir Keir said the UK sees it “as a big part of the future”.
Mr Trump was more vague on the issue of Scotch whisky, saying that “a lot” of the trade deal done between the US and UK will go to Scotland, with Sir Keir adding it will be a great deal for all of the United Kingdom.
The president did give a commitment to look at Scotch Whisky tariffs ahead of his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Afterwards, Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and Chris Swonger, his counterpart at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) published a joint statement welcoming this move on tariffs.
“The Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey industries are close partners and we stand shoulder to shoulder on the issue of tariffs, calling for a permanent return to zero for zero trade which has driven the success of our industries,” they said.
Mr Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney later today as he dodged giving his opinion on Scottish independence.
Stop the boats and cut taxes to win election, says Trump
In an hour-long press conference, President Trump offered impromptu advice to the Prime Minister on how to win the next election and it will have been an awkward moment for Sir Keir.
Apart from their differences on wind turbines and oil & gas, he made clear that he did not like Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, calling him a “nasty person”, and told the PM that he had to cut taxes and get tougher on immigration.
Describing those crossing the Channel as “bad people” the president told the PM that to defeat Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, he needs to prove he is the “toughest” on immigration and is a “tax cutter”.
He said: “You know, politics is pretty simple. I assume there’s a thing going on between you and Nigel…
“Generally speaking, the one who cuts taxes the most, the one who gives you the lowest energy prices, the best kind of energy, the one that keeps you out of wars … a few basics
“Keep people safe and with money in their pockets and you win elections. And in your case a big immigration component, because I know that your attitude has become strong on immigration.
“The one that’s toughest and most competent on immigration is going to win the election, but then you add … low taxes, and you add the economy.”
He acknowledged that Sir Keir “did a great thing with the economy, because a lot of money is going to come in because of the [US trade] deal that was made. But I think that immigration is now bigger than ever before.”
Reform UK has surged ahead of Labour in the polls with its focus on the small boats, illegal immigration, tax cuts and high levels of crime.
The most recent poll put Reform on 27 points and Labour on 22 points.
Sir Keir had to defend the mayor of London, interjecting by saying he was “a friend of mine, actually”, but it was the President’s comments on tax that would have been particularly uncomfortable for the Prime Minister. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves is poised to raise taxes in her autumn budget in an attempt to balance the books.
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