Labour ‘could lose up to 50 seats’ to Greens if new drilling in North Sea approved

<p>Greens say analysis shows government failure to take bold climate action could lead to big gains for party at election</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/aug/19/andy-burnham-homelessness-rough-sleeping-christmas-labour-tories-reform-prisons-north-sea-oil-uk-politics-latest">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Labour could lose dozens of seats to the Green party if the government allows new drilling in the North Sea, according to internal research shared with the Guardian.</p><p>Green party analysis suggests up to 50 Labour MPs – including key Andy Burnham ally Louise Haigh – could lose their seats at the next election if the government fails to make urgent climate action a priority or allows new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/19/labour-could-lose-seats-greens-new-drilling-north-sea">Continue reading...</a>