Draft article: Kathleen Nutt 2026-07-19 10:27

Newly confirmed Labour Party leader Andy Burnham speaking last week. (Image: Gareth Fuller) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. Andy Burnham will take a "more pragmatic approach" with a “change of emphasis” on North Sea oil and gas, Labour's deputy leader has today confirmed. Her intervention followed reports on Saturday that Mr Burnham, who becomes Prime Minister on Monday, will announce plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. The Labour Party's 2024 manifesto - which the new leader said he would follow - had pledged to issue no new licences but to honour existing ones. At the heart of the debate are two o