Russell Findlay today reaffirmed the Scottish Conservatives’ “cast-iron support” for the beleaguered oil and gas sector ahead of a campaign visit to a leading energy and construction services firm in the North East.
The party leader will tour a TEXO Group site in Inverurie with Aberdeenshire West candidate Alexander Burnett, who defeated the SNP in 2016 and 2021, and energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden.
The trio will meet staff and show their backing for the business at a time when the oil and gas sector is shedding 1,000 jobs every month, amid hostility to it from both Labour and SNP governments.
Findlay said “net-zero zealot” Ed Miliband was devastating Scotland’s economy and energy security with his ban on new North Sea drilling projects, while John Swinney was trying to dupe voters into thinking he has softened his opposition to oil and gas.
Findlay labelled Swinney a “fraud”, adding that if he really cared about the sector, he would end the SNP’s presumption against new North Sea developments – but he won’t because he is pandering to the “extremist Greens”.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “The SNP and Labour are responsible for the annihilation of Scotland’s oil and gas industry, with 1,000 jobs being lost every month.
“Net-zero zealot Ed Miliband is causing economic devastation and harming our energy security with his ludicrous ban on drilling, while John Swinney is trying to dupe voters into thinking he’s softened his opposition.
“Swinney is a fraud. He should abandon the SNP’s presumption against new oil and gas extraction – but he won’t because he’s pandering to the extremist Greens.
“Only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted to provide cast-iron support to the oil and gas sector. That’s why people across Scotland should vote for us on the peach ballot paper to stop an SNP majority.”