A senior coalition minister has hailed the UK Cabinet’s historic meeting in Aberdeen as a success – and accused critics of the fleeting visit north of being “childish”.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the trip on Monday had been “really positive” – and welcomed the backing of Sir Ian Wood’s report on the offshore industry as one of the “most significant” announcements in the history of North Sea oil and gas.
The Liberal Democrat also defended Chancellor George Osborne’s warning that an independent Scotland could not use the pound, highlighting this week’s shock Press and Journal poll which showed a slump in support for the Yes campaign.
Prime Minister David Cameron and his Cabinet were criticised by the SNP for “jetting in and out” of the Granite City.
Mr Carmichael said: “It’s predictable and it’s kind of childish. At the risk of offending students, I’d call it ‘student union’ politics.
“What you had was the UK Cabinet going to one of the most significant drivers of economic growth in Scotland, in Aberdeen and the north-east, and engaging with the most significant industry there, the oil and gas industry, and delivering for them something they have been asking for for some time.
“The way in which we were received, and the various announcements and visits that we did, were really positive.
“The carbon capture and storage (CCS) project that we announced for Peterhead is a significant project for the area. And the acceptance and fast-tracking of Sir Ian Wood’s report on North Sea oil and gas is probably one of the most significant announcements in relation to oil and gas since we started exploration in the North Sea.”
The P&J poll found 65% of people in the north and north-east would vote No in the referendum, with just 17% saying Yes, and 18% undecided. It contrasted with national polls which had shown a rise in support for independence after Mr Osborne ruled out a currency union.
Mr Carmichael said: “You see the ICM poll at the weekend, though, where there was a shift from undecided to No of 5%. There was the Press and Journal poll which showed a significant slump for Yes voters in the north-east and Highlands and islands of Scotland. So let’s just give it a few days or maybe a few weeks to see where the polls go, but it was absolutely the right and necessary thing to do.”