More than half of Scotland’s MSPs – including seven Labour politicians – are backing a campaign to stop a ban on North Sea oil and gas damaging crucial energy jobs.
Out of 129 MSPs, 65 put their names to the Unite union’s campaign calling for a clear plan from the UK Government to safeguard employment.
This includes MSPs from the Conservatives, SNP, Labour and Alba.
The seven Labour rebels sending a message to their party bosses in Westminster are Richard Leonard, Katy Clark, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, Monica Lennon, Carol Mochan and Mercedes Villalba.
It comes as First Minister John Swinney faces increasing pressure to ditch the Scottish Government’s own ‘presumption against’ new oil and gas licences.
Almost half of the SNP group has signed Unite’s campaign so far, including cabinet secretary Angus Robertson.
The Unite union criticised Green and Liberal Democrat parties, saying they were “disappointed” not to win their support.
The Liberal Democrats represent parts of Scotland including Orkney and Shetland, which are “heavily dependent” on the oil and industry, the union highlighted.
‘It is madness to do this’
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The majority of MSPs are clear that Labour needs to reverse its irresponsible policy banning all new oil and gas licenses irrespective of the impact on jobs.
“It is madness to do this without a viable plan including concrete equivalent jobs for North Sea workers and real assurances on energy security.”
Orkney Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur said “no one can seriously doubt the time and effort my party has put into supporting the energy industry in the Northern Isles and elsewhere”.
He added it would be “helpful” to understand the detail of how Unite’s proposed £6 billion of investment will be spent to ensure new jobs are delivered.
Green North East MSP Maggie Chapman said what is being done now is “neither just nor a transition” but that the transition must not be delayed any further.
‘Clean power transition’
Labour said they will not grant new licences in the North Sea but would continue with any licences that have already been granted.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously rejected claims this would endanger North Sea jobs and has repeatedly promised there will be no “cliff edge” for the sector.
A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the best way to secure Scotland’s energy economy is to invest in the “clean power transition”.
She added: “Our priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, and we will work with the sector to protect current and future generations of good jobs.”
The full breakdown of MSPs supporting ‘No Ban Without a Plan’ are:
- Conservatives: Douglas Lumsden, Douglas Ross, Finlay Carson, Meghan Gallacher, Annie Wells, Sandesh Gulhane, Edward Mountain, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Tim Eagle, Jeremy Balfour, Sue Webber, Liz Smith, Murdo Fraser, Roz McCall, Liam Kerr, Maurice Golden, Tess White, Brian Whittle, Craig Hoy, Jamie Greene, Russell Findlay, Stephen Kerr, Jackson Carlaw, Sharon Dowey, Alexander Burnett, Graham Simpson, Oliver Mundell, Miles Briggs, Pam Gosal, Rachael Hamilton
- Labour: Richard Leonard, Katy Clark, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, Monica Lennon, Carol Mochan, Mercedes Villalba
- SNP: Michelle Thomson, Kevin Stewart, Bob Doris, Audrey Nicoll, Claire Haughey, Gordon MacDonald, Colin Beattie, Karen Adam, Jackie Dunbar, Willie Coffey, Elena Whitham, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, James Dornan, Angus Robertson, David Torrance, Stephanie Callaghan, Ben Macpherson, Keith Brown, Collette Stevenson, Michael Matheson, Anabelle Ewing, Rona Mackay, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Christine Grahame, Clare Adamson
- Alba: Ash Regan
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