Thom Yorke and Brian Eno are among more than 200 musicians to have written to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to reject calls for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has signed a letter urging Andy Burnham to reject calls for further oil drilling in the North Sea
The Radiohead frontman and former Roxy Music artist have called on the Prime Minister to reject the Rosebank oilfield and have warned that the project will not lower energy bills or provide energy security, as much of the oil is likely to be exported.
Other signatories include Yorke’s Radiohead bandmates Ed O’Brien and Philip Selway, The Cure frontman Robert Smith and Primal Scream rocker Bobby Gillespie.
The musicians wrote in their letter: “The climate crisis is no longer something we fear for future generations; it is shaping our lives today. Heatwaves are disrupting schools, workplaces, hospitals, transport networks, festivals and live events.”
The UK government’s consultation on the project closed on Monday (17.08.26), with ministers set to decide on its future alongside that of the Jackdaw gasfield off Aberdeen – whose consultation ended last week.
Adura, the company behind both projects, claims that drilling would result in £10.8 billion in investment and support 3,500 jobs at the peak of construction.
However, environmental activists argue that extracting fossil fuels will accelerate the climate crisis.
Eno, the co-founder of campaign group EarthPercent, says that Burnham had previously stood alongside artists and campaigners calling for fossil fuel expansion to be ended.
The 78-year-old musician said: “So he has a choice to make. He can stand with the fossil fuel industry and approve Rosebank, or he can stand with the people who will live with the consequences of that decision.
“We are already seeing what a hotter world looks like, with record heat and devastating wildfires across Britain and Europe. At this point, continuing to expand fossil fuel production isn’t pragmatism, it’s a failure to face reality.”
In response, a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “The North Sea remains a vital national asset, supporting jobs, growth and the UK’s energy security.
“We are clear that oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.”
