Scottish Labour leader stresses oil and gas will play major part for ‘decades’
Anas Sarwar said a Labour government would not make the ‘same mistakes’ as Margaret Thatcher.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has insisted “oil and gas will play a major part of the energy sector for decades to come” despite the party being set to block new North Sea projects.
And Mr Sarwar told LBC on Monday that if his party was elected in Westminster, under its plans to ban new oil and gas extraction licences a Labour government would not make the same “mistakes” as Margaret Thatcher.
Sir Keir Starmer’s North Sea proposals have been criticised by those in the sector and also by unions who represent North Sea workers.
I think it's really important to stress, there will be no cliff edge, oil and gas will play a major part of the energy sector for decades to come
But the Labour MSP said there was “no suggestion we’re going to turn off the North Sea”.
“I think it’s really important to stress, there will be no cliff edge, oil and gas will play a major part of the energy sector for decades to come.
“And we want to work in partnership with the industry to deliver the green transition,” he told Tonight With Andrew Marr when questioned by the broadcaster about how he plans to replace the 196,000 oil and gas jobs in Scotland.
When asked if there was a possibility of a Labour government issuing new licences if needed for security, the Scottish Labour leader said that if the transition was done right “we will not need those new licences” and the country would be “able to sustain ourselves on the existing oil fields, maximising their lifespan, and working in partnership to create those jobs”.
“And one thing I think is really, really important to stress, there will be no cliff edge, we will not make the same mistake that Thatcher made with the mining industry, where jobs are promised to a community, those jobs never came, people lost their jobs, and many of them never went on to work again,” he said.
“And many of their family members never went on to work again. We will not make that same mistake.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.