Can Starmer's climate plan get him into government?

Labour has its work cut out to persuade critics on all sides that its fossil fuels policy is sustainable, says Sean O'Grady

- Sean O'Grady

Labour's flagship policies to tackle climate change are coming under attack from critics both inside and outside the party, with the underlying fear that the costs and debts involved in funding them will also become increasingly unpopular with voters as the general election nears and they are subject to more intense scrutiny.

Keir Starmer has had to face some hostility at the GMB conference over his plan to end new fossil fuel projects in the North Sea. He has also had to justify accepting a £1.5m donation from Dale Vince, the owner of the green electricity company Ecotricity and a high-profile supporter of Just Stop Oil which advocates precisely the policy on UK oil and gas exploration that Labour has just adopted.

The Conservatives have also suggested that Labour's £28bn climate investment pledge is unaffordable. So the question arises: are Labour's green policies sustainable enough to make it into government?

How much trouble is Starmer in with the unions?

Some. The unions with members in the oil and gas sector, principally focused on operations off the coasts of Scotland and East Anglia, have obviously been the most vocal - the GMB, Britain's third-largest union, which donates up to £2m a year to the party, and Unite, the second-largest, which is worth £1m a year in affiliation fees.