A senior SNP MP has said the development of the Cambo oil field should not go ahead, threatening the future of the oil industry in Scotland.
Tommy Sheppard, the party’s Westminster spokesperson on constitutional affairs used a column in the Edinburgh Evening News to declare his opposition to the plans, which could create thousands of jobs for the sector.
His call comes after Nicola Sturgeon said the project should be “reassessed” in a letter to the Prime Minister. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has written to the First Minister urging her to stand up for the 100,000 jobs reliant on the oil and gas industry.
Shadow Net Zero Secretary Liam Kerr has criticised Sheppard, who also runs The Stand comedy club, saying it is “no laughing matter” when people’s jobs and livelihoods are at great risk.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Net Zero Secretary Liam Kerr MSP, said: “Nicola Sturgeon has already put her nationalist alliance with the Greens ahead of standing up for jobs in Scotland’s oil and gas industry.
“Now a senior SNP MP has gone even further by categorically saying the development at the Cambo oil field shouldn’t go ahead. Tommy Sheppard might run comedy clubs but this is no laughing matter.
“Thousands of jobs could be created by this development. He is clearly willing to shut down Scotland’s oil and gas industry without a thought for the 100,000 jobs reliant on it.
“The oil and gas industry are fully aware of the need to transition away from current models of working and towards renewables, but potentially throwing 100,000 people into unemployment isn’t a solution.
“Tommy Shepherd already seems to be under the influence from the hardline ideology of the Greens, with this sudden call.
“It is time for the SNP’s game-playing to stop. They should be working with the industry to protect jobs and transitioning towards renewables, rather than playing constitutional politics.
“What is the SNP’s message to working-class families who will face hikes in their bills if we have to import more resources from abroad?
“Only the Scottish Conservatives are standing up for the economy of the North East and the whole of Scotland by calling for these jobs to be protected and thousands more to potentially be created.”
Notes: Tommy Shepherd’s column is here: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/ipccs-climate-change-report-shows-why-cambo-oil-field-must-not-be-drilled-burning-biomass-is-a-bad-idea-and-carbon-capture-is-vital-tommy-sheppard-mp-3343773