Burnham Risks Labour Backlash if He Reverses Ban on New Oil and Gas Drilling The North Sea's oil and gas reserves have long been a contentious issue in British politics.
When Andy Burnham takes office as prime minister on Monday, he will face his first major test: whether to lift the ban on new drilling licences.
Rumors of a potential U turn on oil and gas production have sparked outrage among party MPs, environmentalists, and trade unions who fear it will undermine the UK's climate goals.