A survey conducted by Opinium for Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) indicates that 65% of people who voted for the Labour Party in 2024 support the development of the Rosebank oil and gas field. Rosebank, located northwest of Shetland, is currently the largest undeveloped oil field in British waters. While the survey found that 63% of the general public supports the project, 17% of Labour voters believe it should be rejected.
The polling comes as the UK government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, proceeds with its Energy Independence Bill. The legislation includes a commitment to issue no new oil and gas licenses for exploration in the North Sea. However, the government has already approved the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen, a move supported by 68% of Labour voters according to the poll. Additionally, 72% of Labour voters surveyed agreed that oil and gas remain essential for the foreseeable future.
Rosebank was previously granted a license under the former Conservative government, but that decision was later ruled unlawful, requiring the project to undergo a new consideration process. OEUK chief executive David Whitehouse stated that the survey results provide the government an opportunity to align with public opinion as a final decision on Rosebank is expected in the coming months.
The decision affects energy sector workers, environmental advocacy groups, and voters who participated in the 2024 general election. The survey sampled 2,050 adults to gauge national sentiment. The debate centers on whether domestic production or a transition to clean energy will more effectively lower energy bills.
If the government approves Rosebank, it would secure the extraction of domestic resources which supporters say builds energy resilience and supports industrial supply chains. Conversely, opponents note that the majority of Rosebank's oil would be exported, meaning the direct impact on domestic energy prices might be limited. The decision could affect the stability of energy prices and the availability of energy-sector jobs in regions like West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.
Campaigners argue that developing Rosebank is incompatible with maintaining safe climate thresholds, while proponents argue it follows a pragmatic path toward net zero. A final decision on the Rosebank field is scheduled to be made in the coming months, following the introduction of the Energy Independence Bill on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.