Wes Streeting, a former Health Secretary, says he would issue licences for new drilling in the North Sea if he leads a government. In comments reported by the Daily Mail, Streeting presents the approach as a break from current policy associated with Keir Starmer, implying a shift toward allowing further energy exploration and production. The reports describe Streeting’s position in terms of restarting or expanding drilling through government licensing rather than banning new activity. The Daily Mail’s account focuses on the political contrast between Streeting’s proposed stance and what it characterizes as the direction of Starmer’s approach. No additional outlets or further details are provided in the material shared here about what specific number of licences, where drilling would occur, or how the plan would align with emissions targets, environmental assessments, or existing regulatory frameworks. Overall, the available reporting agrees that Streeting has publicly raised the prospect of issuing new North Sea drilling licences as part of his platform.