CANDIDATE SLAMS SUNAK OVER COSMETIC CHANGE TO OIL & GAS LICENSING
08/11/23
SNP candidate for the Westminster seat of West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, Glen Reynolds, has come out strongly against what he has described as “another sad move by Rishi Sunak” given the prime minister’s latest statement on oil and gas licensing.
Currently, there is no statutory period between licensing rounds in the North Sea. The prime minister’s proposal would simply make them annual.
Mr Reynolds said, “There is a consensus that oil and gas will remain part of our energy mix as we aim for Net Zero and make the just transition to renewables.
“Jobs in oil and gas will clearly be around for some time to come and licensing new production is certainly acceptable when it fits with strategic Net Zero targets. Anything else would be economically irresponsible.
“But Mr Sunak’s move is effectively cosmetic and smacks of a UK government in decline, desperately casting around for headlines that take the edge off their unpopularity.
“The UK Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero has already admitted the change may do nothing for the high energy bills that have caused such misery to households since last year.
“What’s more, the move follows on from Mr Sunak actively watering down the UK’s commitment to its Net Zero target, earlier in the autumn. Retrograde steps and flimsy legislation are not what we need.”
Mr Reynolds also welcomed comments from the SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn MP, calling for the permanent transfer of powers over the economy, energy, and employment back to Scotland, as well as a £400 energy bill rebate.