Businessman and Labour donor Dale Vince is stopping his financial support for Just Stop Oil, as he admits that any actions they take would be “pointless”.
Vince said further protests from the group would be “counter-productive”, as it would help “feed the Tories’ culture-war narrative”.
He said that the continued disruption was futile as the Government will not change its stance on oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
He said: “In order to 'just stop oil', first we need to just stop the Tories.”
WATCH NOW: Just Stop Oil protesters storm Les Miserables
Instead, he plans to divert his money and efforts to propping up an anti-Tory campaign.
Vince said he will use his money to fund Just Vote, a new campaign designed to encourage young people to vote.
His redirected efforts on the project are in hopes that it will bring a green government to power.
In a statement, Vince said: “It's a fact of our electoral system that only one of two parties can form the next government; we want to bring a focus to this reality and to the opportunity that we have - to elect a green government, one that will embrace the opportunities we face, rather than make an enemy of them - and use them to tackle the long list of issues we face as a country.”
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Labour have promised to ban any new licenses from being granted to drill in the North Sea.
Vince’s energy company Ecotricity has given more than £1.4million to Labour since 2014.
He has also supported Just Stop Oil since it was founded in February 2022, and has given them over £340,000.
He has staunchly defended the group’s controversial protest tactics – most recently applauding the protesters who tied themselves to the stage during a performance of Les Misérables this week.
In a statement, Vince said he admired “the conviction and the commitment of these activists and their bravery in the face of an increasingly hostile state”.
Just Stop Oil halted the performance PA / JUST STOP OILHowever, he said: “Recent actions by this government make it clear that no amount of protesting will prevent them drilling in the North Sea.
“And while I understand the frustration that people feel, I believe that further protests and the disruption that comes with them are pointless. I would go further and say they would be counterproductive. This government is intent on drilling come what may and will welcome further protest as it feeds their new culture war.”
Vince also said that further protests would feed a “culture war” started by the Government, who reversed their stance on key green policies last month.
Rishi Sunak announced exemptions and delays to some major green policies, including a ban on new petrol and diesel cars being made.
