'Gary Lineker lacks the nuanced understanding of the wider policy implications and misdirecting the public,' says Sally-Ann Hart
Former Conservative MP Sally-Ann Hart argues Lineker's "forays into politics go way beyond the remit of a football presenter"
Gary Lineker is kicking off again – yawn! Now he thinks his followers on social media will be interested in his opinion about the oil and gas industry.
He has endorsed Ed Miliband, the new Energy Secretary’s decision, to overrule officials and order an “immediate” ban on drilling in the North Sea.
Gary’s increasingly frequent forays into politics, which have included backing the campaign for a second Brexit referendum, proclaiming Just Stop Oil campaigners as heroes, and criticising the former Conservative government’s asylum policy - comparing the language used around the policy to that used by Nazi Germany - go way beyond the remit of a football presenter.
Perhaps he should have applied to be a Labour MP? No... the money’s just not interesting enough!
Many argue, including Lineker himself, that he is entitled to express his views. Free speech is vital for democracy; however, we do not see high-profile BBC political journalists like Chris Mason or Laura Kuenssberg expressing such blatant impartiality.
The same should apply to Lineker because he is not just the face of BBC sport, he is also employed by the BBC and paid for by our licence fee. A ban on new drilling in the North Sea might be praised by environmental activists, but it is fraught with social, economic and practical difficulties.
Labour’s ill-advised manifesto commitment to block new North Sea oil and gas licences risks jeopardising our energy security by increasing reliance on energy imports from often unstable regions, exposing us to huge increases in household bills.
Lineker is misguided - we need oil and gas while we transition to renewables. His support for Labour’s proposals underestimates the strategic importance of us maintaining a degree of energy self-sufficiency and the need for a gradual shift to renewable energy, so those who are not blessed with his wealth are not saddled with a massive hike in energy bills.
While we all want a cleaner, healthier environment, the transition to renewable energy is not a quick fix and requires substantial investment and innovation.
Net zero ideologies would have us living in penury to save the planet, but the Conservatives have shown that we can have economic growth and look after our environment without shocking consumers.
Common sense and proportionate decisions are crucial. The British people cannot be expected to solve the global problem of climate change alone; we only generate one per cent of global carbon emissions.
Indeed, the independent Climate Change Committee states that the UK will still need oil and gas in years to come, even when we reach net zero.
The sad fact is that the Labour Government cannot achieve the economic growth and wealth generation they ‘big up’ with Miliband’s energy proposals. In 2022/2023, oil and gas production contributed over £20billion to the UK economy, sustaining over 200,000 jobs and ensuring secure and reliable energy for our homes, industry, hospitals, transport and so on.
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New North Sea oil and gas projects would boost our energy security, sustain thousands of jobs and generate revenue for investment into renewables, keeping energy bills down for consumers.
Lineker’s influence as a public figure is undeniable – but some of his opinions should be only expressed privately. His area of expertise is football, media and pushing Walkers crisps (during an obesity crisis!), not in energy policy or environmental science.
Public figures should inform themselves properly before endorsing policies like the immediate banning of oil and gas licences, which have far-reaching consequences.
He might have genuine environmental concerns, but he lacks the nuanced understanding of the wider policy implications, risks over-simplifying a complex issue and misdirecting public opinion. Stick to football, Gary!
