Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Andrew Bowie has today (Monday) urged SNP and Scottish Labour MPs to do the right thing and back a vote which will be brought forward by the Conservatives in Parliament on Tuesday which calls on Keir Starmer's Government to approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields.
Bowie’s call comes as energy bills are continuing to rise for households across Scotland because of Labour and the SNP’s reckless opposition to new oil and gas licences, which he says is costing jobs and billions in lost revenue.
He also warned that failing to drill in the North Sea would make Scotland even more dependent on foreign imports to meet our energy needs.
Andrew Bowie’s comments were echoed by Douglas Lumsden, the Scottish Conservative candidate for the Aberdeen South by-election, who says if elected, he will champion the oil and gas industry by demanding Labour axe the Energy Profits Levy and immediately restart drilling in the North Sea.
He warned that voting for Reform or any other party in the upcoming by-election risks an SNP win, despite their presumption against any new oil and gas projects.
Lumsden added that SNP and Scottish Labour MPs should “grow a backbone” and put the North Sea oil and gas industry above “petty party politics”.
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Andrew Bowie MP said: “Labour and the SNP’s reckless opposition to new oil and gas licences is costing thousands of jobs and billions in lost revenue.
“We know that failing to seize the opportunity to drill in the North Sea right now will cause bills to rise and make Scotland more dependent on foreign countries for our energy supply, which is an act of economic self-harm.
“Tomorrow, SNP and Scottish Labour MPs have the opportunity to do the right thing and back our calls to approve the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields before it’s too late.
“The Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch and Russell Findlay’s leadership, will always stand up for our oil and gas sector, the thousands of jobs that rely on it and the billions it brings into our economy.”
Scottish Conservative candidate for Aberdeen South Douglas Lumsden added: “The Conservatives are giving SNP and Scottish Labour MPs an open goal to finally back the oil and gas sector and support drilling the North Sea.
“It’s about time they grew a backbone and put our crucial oil and gas sector above petty party politics, because if they don’t voters will never forgive them.
“If I am fortunate enough to be backed by voters in Aberdeen South, I will relentlessly champion the oil and gas industry and demand Labour axe their damaging Energy Profits Levy and immediately restart drilling in the North Sea.
“But as we saw in the recent Holyrood election, a vote for Reform or anyone else risks letting an SNP MP in who will continue to support the decimation of Scotland's oil and gas industry.”