Exclusive:Scottish Labour MPs worried about prospect of Ed Miliband becoming chancellor
MPs said they were concerned that the former Labour leader would block the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects from being given the go-ahead.
Scottish Labour MPs are “worried” about the possibility of Ed Miliband becoming chancellor over North Sea oil and gas.
MPs said they were concerned that the former Labour leader would block the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects from being given the go-ahead.
It comes after a group of Scottish Labour MPs said the North Sea oil and gas fields should be green lit.
But another MP said they would support the Energy Secretary taking the role because of his experience in government.
Reports have suggested that Mr Miliband, who was leader of the opposition between 2010 and 2015, could be in line to take over in No11 Downing Street when Andy Burnham become prime minister later this month.
Rosebank is 80 miles to the west of Shetland. It contains around 300 million barrels of oil, making it the UK's last major undeveloped oil site.
Jackdaw is a large offshore gas field 150 miles east of Aberdeen.
As Energy Secretary, Mr Miliband is currently the decision maker over whether the two projects get the go ahead - but the decisions have been delayed for years.
One MP said: “People are worried about Ed Milband becoming chancellor and that he will be a blocker.
“He is totally intransigent when it comes to Rosebank and Jackdaw.
“It’s also hard to see how he could work with the oil and gas sector because they have such little confidence in him.”
Another said: "Ed has been a very effective Secretary of State and knows the energy sector very well.
“But if Andy Burnham wants to change direction or reset on a key issue like energy then the perception of who is saying it will matter just as much and sadly I am not sure Ed is the right messenger for that policy or language shift."
A third MP said: “I am worried, he’s a obviously clever guy but there’s got to be common sense when it comes to oil and gas.”
But another Scottish Labour MP said the former leader would be “excellent” because of his experience of “the machinery of government”.
They said: “I think Ed would make an excellent chancellor. He really knows how to make the machinery of government work.”
Current Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to lose her position when Sir Keir Starmer stands down in a couple of weeks time.
Reports have suggested Mr Miliband will replace her when Andy Burnham takes over as Prime Minister.
Mr Burnham served as shadow health secretary when Mr Miliband was Labour leader.
The current Labour Government’s policy is not to issue anymore oil and gas exploration licences, but not to cancel those which have already been issued.
Mr Miliband had previously described the licence issued to Rosebank by the Conservatives as “climate vandalism”.
There had been reports in April that Mr Miliband was set to approve Jackdaw - although these were later labelled “unfounded” by the government.
The permits for both fields were voided last year after the Court of Session said the original decision to give them the go ahead was unlawful.
Mr Miliband’s team was approached for comment.
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