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.

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.

True North’s new senior energy advisor Allister Thomas said: “As North Sea production reaches record lows, with projects stuck in the investment doldrums, this is a clear signal to politicians to get the sector back on track. The alternative is more imports, which government data tells us is already seeing record high levels of LNG from the US, nearly four-times more carbon intensive than domestic supply.

“That’s bad for the planet and bad for business – the UK will realise little of the economic benefit if we are buying in more energy from overseas. As they aspire to become the next UK government, Labour will be buoyed that 51% Scots think GB Energy can reduce their household bills.

“However, there are significant risks – and stark warnings from experts across the energy sector – that more punitive taxes on energy will drive investment out of the market, rather than helping to bridge the renewable jobs gap. I suspect energy transition will remain a major focus in this campaign over the coming weeks as the parties continue to set out their stall.”

Scottish Conservative candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Andrew Bowie said: “Unlike the SNP and Labour, the vast majority of Scots recognise the crucial importance of North Sea oil and gas to Scotland’s economy, energy security and just transition to net zero.

“It’s crazy that the SNP, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens all oppose the granting of new North Sea oil and gas licences, when doing so threatens tens of thousands of skilled jobs in the North East and would force us to import more expensive fossil fuels with a higher carbon footprint from overseas.

“While the other parties want to turn off the taps in the North Sea, only the Scottish Conservatives are standing up for oil and gas workers and communities across the North East.”

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