Politics
UK set to delay North Sea Jackdaw gasfield decision until after Holborn by-election
September 11, 2026 at 08:58 PM
Coverage
3 reports · over 6 hours
TGThe Guardian
North Sea gasfield decision likely delayed until after Holborn byelection
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Zack Polanski to be Green Party candidate for Keir Starmer's old seat
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Greens select Zack Polanski to run in Holborn and St Pancras byelection
(opens the publisher’s site)The UK government is expected to postpone the Jackdaw gasfield approval until after the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where Green leader Zack Polanski is standing.
- Multiple Whitehall sources say Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh will not issue her recommendation on Shell's Jackdaw field before the Commons recess, delaying the decision until after the 8 October by-election.
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski, selected as the party's candidate for the seat, accused Labour of "dishonesty and betrayal" over signals it will approve drilling while hiding its position during the vote.
- Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said a delay would place "the interests of the Labour party before the interests of Great Britain" in a letter to the prime minister.
- The government previously said the North Sea remains a "vital national asset" and that oil and gas will play an important role "for decades to come."