By Ahmed Abdelsalam
The UK Government announced plans this week to ban new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. Scottish First Minister John Swinney told MSPs on Thursday that his Government opposes the ban, a position critics say contradicts the previous administration’s presumption against new licensing.
Campaigners Call Response Incoherent
Dr Rosie Hampton, principal policy adviser at anti-fossil fuel group Uplift, described Swinney’s stance as “incoherent.” She argued new licensing would not improve energy security, noting North Sea jobs have more than halved in a decade and even industry lobbyists accept the ban. Hampton warned the debate distracts from Scotland’s real energy problems and urged a coherent transition plan investing in renewables.
Political Parties React
Scottish Green energy spokesman Kristopher Leask likened the First Minister’s approach to “pouring petrol on a fire,” accusing him of betting on dwindling oil supplies that benefit multinational firms. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay labeled Swinney “Slippery Swinney” for an apparent U-turn, while Reform UK’s Duncan Massey called the ban “perverse economic self-harm” and advocated maximizing domestic fossil fuels. Liberal Democrat environment spokeswoman Sanne Djikstra-Downie pushed for rapid expansion of heat pumps and insulation to reduce gas demand.
Scottish Government Defends Parallel Approach
Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said the Scottish Government supports a “parallel track” transition, managing oil and gas production alongside renewables deployment. He called for UK decisions on North Sea projects to be evidence-led and for economic benefits to remain in Scotland, criticizing the Energy Profits Levy for driving accelerated decline.
