SNP and Labour accused of 'throwing north - Foshan BoldNavigator Group Co.,Ltd

The Scottish Tories claimed that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to block any new North Sea oil and gas developments as 'an act of economic self-harm.'

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SNP and Labour are "throwing the communities of North East Scotland under a bus" with their "illogical" opposition to the oil and gas industry.

The Scottish Conservatives said Sir Keir Starmer's recent pledge to block any future fossil fuel projects in the North Sea and the Holyrood administrations insistence to kill off the industry were an act of "economic self-harm".

The party will lead a debate on the topic this week warning turning the taps off would expose the UK to turbulent regimes such as Russia.

READ MORE: Sir Keir Starmer's block on North Sea oil and gas projects will mean Scots lose out on £1,100 EACH

Shadow cabinet secretary for net zero, energy and transport Liam Kerr argued a just, fair and managed transition to greener energy forms has to be done in conjunction with the oil and gas industry.

He said that without a mix of both renewables and fossil fuels for years to come, the domestic demand for oil and gas could only be satisfied with foreign imports increasing the country's carbon footprint.

Mr Kerr will raise his concerns during the Holyrood debate on Wednesday and said: "Adopting Labour and the SNP's illogical, ideological opposition to any future oil and gas projects in the North Sea would amount to an act of economic self-harm.

"It would also be environmentally harmful, offshoring our climate responsibilities. We all want to see a just transition to net zero – but ‘just’ has to be the operative word.

"There is nothing ‘just’ in pursuing unevidenced, ignorant dogma which would throw the communities of North East Scotland under a bus by halting all future oil and gas projects.

"That would abandon tens of thousands of skilled workers to the scrapheap overnight and wreak havoc on the local and national economy.

"The stance of Labour and the SNP hinges, for any semblance of credibility, on the nation's energy needs being able to be met by renewables alone. But, as anyone with an ounce of knowledge about the sector knows, we’re nowhere near that point yet.

"Banning domestic extraction now would simply mean us having to import fossil fuels from abroad, increasing our carbon footprint in the process and shamefully offshoring our climate responsibilities.

"Keir Starmer's reckless announcement that a Labour government would block all future domestic oil and gas licences from being granted has brought this issue back to the top of the political agenda and that's why we demand it must be debated.

"The SNP-Greens take a similarly naïve and short-sighted stance to Labour, meaning that the Scottish Conservatives stand alone in defending North East Scotland, our energy security and the livelihoods and jobs of tens of thousands of Scots."

The UK Labour leader confirmed last week he would ban new licences but allow existing project to continue until 2050 as part of the green push.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero & Just Transition, Mairi McAllan, defended the Holyrood administration's stance. She said: "The unlimited extraction of fossil fuels is not consistent with Scotland's ambitious climate obligations but we also have to ensure a planned and fair transition that leaves no one behind.

"That means simply stopping all future activity is wrong. It could threaten energy security while destroying the very skills we need to transition to the new low-carbon economy.

"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to a just transition, and ensuring we take workers with us on our journey to net zero. We will not do to the North East what Thatcher did to our mining and steel communities."

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