Connect with us

World

Huge blow for Scottish Greens as majority of Scots back North Sea oil and gas

Published

on

Huge blow for Scottish Greens as majority of Scots back North Sea oil and gas

Scottish Greens have suffered a huge General Election blow after it was revealed that the majority of Scots back domestic oil and gas production in the North Sea. Scotland’s energy security is becoming a key battleground for July 4, with the Tories claiming to be only party supporting new licences in the north-east.

Patrick Harvie ranted against the oil and gas industry at Holyrood on Thursday, and was accused of living in a Central Belt “bubble.” He said: ““We’ve seen the Tories ripping up climate policies; thankfully, they’ll be out of government very soon.




“The SNP are now back to their old ways. Instead of accelerating action on climate, Kate Forbes today is quoted as saying “We’ve been clear that we’re not against new [oil and gas] licences” and “we’ve never said no.” This represents a shameless retreat from a position of climate leadership.”

But the Greens position on oil and gas is now out of step with ordinary Scots as new research found that three quarters of Scots back production from the North Sea. The data from advisory firm True North showed that 75% would rather see the UK meet its energy demands from domestic sources than import from overseas.

READ MORE: John Swinney and Kate Forbes rebuked by fact-checker over ‘misleading’ energy boasts

The SNP have refused to outline a position on new licences after confirming a “presumption” against them in the Scottish Government’s draft energy strategy. And Scottish Labour do want to turn the taps off for a just transition, but have put forward GB Energy to replace it.

True North commissioned Survation to survey 1,026 people across Scotland between May 23 and May 27, and found that 51% believe that Labour’s proposed GB Energy policy will reduce household bills, while 56% reckon it should take ownership stakes in large-scale projects such as offshore wind farms.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is pictured at an event in Greenock, Scotland(Image: PA)

Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that the organisation would be established as an investment arm, funded by an extended windfall tax on oil and gas, with Labour claiming it will support tens of thousands of green jobs. But the oil and gas industry claim that it could put about 100,000 jobs at risk.

Continue Reading