Keir Starmer slams ‘arrogant’ Just Stop Oil in clash with supporter
Starmer says Just Stop Oil ‘haven’t got the answer’
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The Labour Leader has condemned the widespread protest action of Just Stop Oil activists in a clash with a caller on LBC radio. Sir Keir argued the demonstrations observed across London in recent weeks were “wrong” and claimed the Just Stop Oil group “haven’t got the answer” to the climate crisis. He highlighted the Labour Party pledge to push forward with renewable energy schemes but refused to back the campaign group after roadblocks in the capital saw emergency vehicles become trapped in standstill traffic.
A caller named Fiona phoned in to LBC to discuss Labour’s pledge against fracking and the harvest of new oil and gas supplies.
Addressing Sir Keir, she said: “I know the Labour Party have policies banning fracking and no more new oil and gas, but I am a big supporter of Just Stop Oil because they are saying no new oil and gas.
“Could you please reassure me that you are taking Sir David King’s prediction seriously and, if you are Prime Minister you would really act on that and there would be genuinely no more new oil and gas as Just Stop Oil are asking for?”
Sir David King, the former chief scientific advisor to the government, has been referenced by members of the Just Stop Oil group for his claim that the next three to four years will “determine the future of humanity”.
In response, the Labour Leader said: “Let me just deal with Just Stop Oil because I think they are wrong.
“I think their action is wrong, I particularly think about the images we’ve seen of ambulances coming down the road and not being able to get through because people have glued themselves to the road.
“My mum was very ill all of her life, she was in those ambulances when she was alive and there will be other families listening to this who are in the same situation.”
He later added: “I think it is arrogant of those glueing themselves to roads to think they are the only people that have got the answer to this.
“They haven’t got the answer and I don’t know how they can look in the eyes of the families who have got someone in the back of an ambulance.”
Read more: Eco-warriors target another masterpiece with mashed potato
Just Stop Oil protests have flooded London throughout October in a bid to place pressure on the government to commit to no new oil and gas.
Videos shared online captured a fire engine and ambulance on blue lights unable to move through gridlocked traffic after Just Stop Oil activists blocked a junction in the Knightsbridge area.
Protesters stopped traffic by sitting in the road, with some members of the group glueing themselves to the surface in a bid to prevent their removal.
A statement from Just Stop Oil confirmed 32 protesters had been involved in “three roadblocks on Knightsbridge and Brompton Road, stopping traffic in either direction.”
A video later tweeted by the campaign group showed a fire engine moving past protesters and was captioned: “Just Stop Oil supporters pause roadblock to let fire engine through.”
Don’t miss:
Eco-warriors moan hands are sore after supergluing themselves [REVEAL]
Just Stop Oil ‘criminals slammed for spraying Harrods as police patrol [REPORT]
Just Stop Oil activists dragged off-road as fed-up drivers hit out [INSIGHT]
A Downing Street spokesman said: “These sorts of protests which disrupt people’s daily lives or indeed can stop our emergency services from potentially saving lives are unacceptable.”
Sir Keir addressed the caller’s question by outlining Labour’s green prosperity plan.
He claimed renewable energy would reduce fuel costs and create greater energy security while also offering new job opportunities and helping to address the looming climate crisis.
Sir Keir described the chance to focus on renewable energy over fossil fuels as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” but insisted he did not support the actions of Just Stop Oil and the impact they had on the public and emergency services.
Read next:
Police put Just Stop Oil activists on spot over road blockade tactic
Bridge protesters who shut M25 are from New Zealand
Just Stop Oil vows more disruption saying ‘we’re not stopping’
Just Stop Oil activists dragged off Cromwell Road as police intervene
Two Just Stop Oil protesters held over bridge chaos
Source: Read Full Article