Scottish Labour demands the First Minister’s stance on future exploration in the North Sea amidst growing tensions.

Scottish Labour has urged First Minister John Swinney to clarify his position on the Scottish Government’s controversial stance towards new oil and gas licences. The policy, which was part of the draft energy strategy, proposes a presumption against new exploration in the North Sea, unless stringent conditions are met.

Despite the inclusion of this policy in the draft document, Swinney has refrained from confirming whether it will remain in the finalised version of the strategy. During a recent visit, the First Minister expressed the importance of balancing Scotland’s transition to net zero with support for the oil and gas sector. He emphasised the need to manage this transition without causing economic disruption, stating that the energy strategy is still under review and that the Government’s final position would be reflected in the document.

Earlier in the day, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn hinted that the presumption against new exploration could be dropped. He stressed the crucial role of the oil and gas sector in Scotland’s economy, particularly highlighting the 100,000 workers reliant on it, and underscored the importance of this industry in achieving Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.

In response to the uncertainty, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie criticised the SNP’s contradictory messages on the issue. She pointed out the lack of clear communication, accusing the SNP of sending conflicting messages between different regions of Scotland. Baillie called for Swinney to clearly state whether he supported the Government’s current position or if he had been overruled by Westminster influence, notably from Stephen Flynn.

The debate on Scotland’s energy future has been a source of tension, with Labour’s stance on oil and gas causing concern in the north-east of the country. Last year, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer announced a policy to end new oil and gas exploration, which has sparked backlash from the oil and gas industry, warning of up to £30 billion in lost investment. Despite this, Scottish Labour continues to advocate for a clear transition to clean energy, while maintaining the importance of oil and gas for Scotland’s economy in the coming decades.

Flynn responded to Labour’s criticisms, accusing them of risking 100,000 jobs and Scotland’s economic potential. He argued that Labour’s plans would discourage vital investment in Scotland and weaken the country’s economic standing. Contrasting his position with Labour’s, Flynn reaffirmed the SNP’s commitment to protecting energy jobs and prioritising Scotland’s interests, including reinvesting energy wealth into Scotland for the benefit of local communities and the green energy future.

As the debate heats up ahead of the forthcoming election, Scottish voters are left grappling with conflicting messages about the future of oil, gas, and Scotland’s energy strategy.