The Scottish Conservatives stood up for oil and gas workers whose livelihoods are at risk since being abandoned by Scotland’s other political parties in a debate in Parliament this week.
The party argued that prematurely ending the oil and gas industry would decimate the economy of the north east of Scotland, costing tens of thousands of jobs, and prevent a fair and managed transition to renewables.
It would also undermine Scotland’s net zero ambitions by forcing the country to import supplies from overseas.
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Scottish Conservatives proposed this motion amid doubts over the future of the Cambo project after Nicola Sturgeon voiced her opposition to it and Shell subsequently pulled out.
Under pressure from their coalition partners, the anti-business Scottish Greens, the SNP have turned their back on the oil and gas industry – which previously formed the basis of their economic case for independence.
Scottish Labour have also proved themselves to be out of touch with the north east, insisting there should be no new investments in oil and gas. Labour fails to understand that turning off the taps in the North Sea will not help the transition away from oil and gas.
Instead, doing so would push our domestic demand abroad, and dismantle an industry committed to decarbonisation, leaving tens of thousands at risk of unemployment.
Unlike the other parties, the Scottish Conservatives are listening to the oil and gas industry – and standing up for a workforce that understandably feels abandoned.
We will continue to work with the UK Government and its £16 billion North Sea Transition Deal, to secure the necessary fair transition for the industry.
The Scottish Conservatives remain as the only party willing to stand up for the north east, and skilled Scottish oil and gas workers.
