Tony Blair’s energy argument ignores the real crisis

Tony Blair’s latest intervention on energy and climate risks taking Britain backwards at precisely the wrong moment. In his recent essay, the former prime minister argues that the government should prioritise cheap energy over clean energy and exploit all remaining North Sea oil and gas reserves. But this well debunked argument, not least by the head of the International Energy Agency earlier this week, misunderstands both the economic reality of Britain’s energy system and the scale of the climate crisis already unfolding around us.

Blair’s comments landed in the middle of yet another fossil fuel-driven energy shock. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent global oil and gas markets into turmoil, while households across the UK have just been told their energy bills will rise by a further £208. Yet he fails to acknowledge the central truth exposed by every recent energy crisis: Britain’s dependence on fossil fuels leaves families and businesses dangerously exposed to volatile international markets.

Blair’s claims are misleading
More oil and gas drilling in the North Sea will not shield consumers from these shocks. Oil and gas prices are set internationally, not domestically. New licences would take years to come online and would do little to lower bills. The claim that expanding fossil fuel extraction will deliver cheap energy is therefore misleading. The only credible route to long term energy security and affordability is to accelerate the transition to clean power.

Clean power is cheap power. Renewable energy generated in Britain is insulated from the geopolitical instability and price spikes that define fossil fuel markets. Wind and solar are now among the cheapest forms of electricity generation available. Combined with electrification, insulation and energy efficiency, they offer the opportunity to permanently reduce household bills while cutting emissions and improving energy independence.

Climate change will have profound effects on British people
What is most striking about Blair’s argument, however, is its failure to grapple seriously with climate change itself. Despite presenting himself as a pragmatic centrist, he echoes the same logic advanced by net zero sceptics: that we do not need to move urgently to prevent climate impacts from getting worse. If every country followed his advice and exploited all remaining fossil fuel reserves, the result would be runaway global heating and its result would be profound economic instability and human suffering.

As Green Alliance and others have repeatedly warned, Britain is dangerously unprepared for the impacts of climate change that are already locked in. During what is now the hottest May ever recorded in the UK, extreme heat is placing growing pressure on vulnerable communities, systems and public services. Elderly people are at greater risk of heat related illness; the NHS faces rising strain during heatwaves; and people working manual jobs face increasing health risks from extreme temperatures; and it is existential for our ability to produce food.

These impacts are also felt most sharply by those on low incomes and by ethnic minority communities, who are more likely to live in overheated housing, have less access to green space and face greater exposure to environmental risks. Yet Britain still lacks the infrastructure and adaptation planning needed to protect people from escalating climate impacts.

Britain needs politicians who are serious and clear about how they will protect people and improve lives, both now and in the future. Tony Blair’s position does not meet that test.

Instead of doubling down on fossil fuel dependence, political leaders should focus more on building a resilient, low carbon economy that delivers cheaper energy, greater security and a safer future.