Massive Attack and Paris Paloma join musicians urging Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling
Brian Eno and Olly Alexander also among signatories saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies reality More than 200 musicians including Massive Attack and Brian Eno have written to Andy Burnham, urging him to reject plans for more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. The letter, signed by artists such as Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma, called on the prime minister to reject the…
Over 200 musicians, including Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Olly Alexander, and Paris Paloma, have penned a letter urging Labour leader Andy Burnham to reject new North Sea drilling projects in Rosebank and Jackdaw fields. The artists argue that exploiting these oil reserves will exacerbate climate change and defies reality. The letter states that Rosebank could release over 250 million tonnes of CO2 during its lifetime, accounting for 70% of the UK's annual emissions.
They emphasize that the climate crisis is an immediate concern, with heatwaves disrupting daily life and driving a surge in hospital emergency cases. Despite the government's consultation closing on the project, ministers will decide on its future, along with Jackdaw gasfield's. Environmental activists contend that extracting fossil fuels from the UK's largest untapped oilfield will accelerate climate chaos.
Burnham previously supported artists and campaigners against fossil fuel expansion, giving him a choice: either support the fossil fuel industry or face the consequences of that decision. The Met Office predicts this summer could be the hottest since records began, with 2026 likely being the first year with four days above 36C. Extreme heat has already led to a surge in hospital emergencies, with over 2.4 million patients visiting emergency departments in May, June, and July.
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