Starmer rejects claims thousands of jobs at risk due to oil and gas stance
Oil rigs anchored in the Cromarty Firth, Invergordon
(JAne Barlow/PA)
By Craig Paton, PA Scotland Deputy Political Editor
Today
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has rejected claims his party’s stance on oil and gas would cost jobs in the North Sea.
The party has said it would not allow new licences for oil and gas exploration if Sir Keir becomes prime minister after the July 4 election.
But some in the north east of Scotland, including the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce this week, have said the next government has 100 days to save 100,000 jobs in the sector.
“We’re not going to turn the pipes off instantaneously, that’s never been part of our plan,” he told BBC Radio Scotland.
“We’re not going to revoke licences… that means that oil and gas will be part of the mix for decades to come.
“The question is what we do about the transition.”
“I do reject that analysis,” he said when questioned on potential job losses.
“In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the transition could bring more jobs to Scotland and jobs that will last for decades.”
Sir Keir Starmer holding a Labour pledge card (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Sir Keir went on to compare the current situation with the end of coal mining in Britain during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher.
“I think a huge mistake was made when coal started coming to an end and the government of the day didn’t plan for the future and I’m not prepared to let an incoming Labour Government be in that position,” he said.
“We have to plan for the future, do the transition properly and that is the best way to ensure that jobs are there, not just for this generation, but for the next generation after that.”
Sir Keir was also questioned on GB Energy, one of the party’s key pledges in this election campaign, which he said would be an “investment vehicle” as opposed to an energy generation company.
The firm, which he has maintained would be headquartered in Scotland, would be set up with £8 billion of borrowing and would attract, the Labour leader hoped, three times as much in private investment.
“It would be an investment vehicle, not an energy company,” he said.
“The money going into it would be public money, but used to trigger private investment alongside it.”
Sir Keir will travel to Scotland on Friday to speak alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, laying out the party’s six promises to Scotland ahead of the July 4 election.
Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said Labour was offering no change (Jane Barlow/PA)
Speaking ahead of the visit, Sir Keir said: “Labour will deliver a decade of national renewal and the steps set out today are our down payment on that promise.
“From cutting bills to boosting pay to protecting the NHS, the Labour government I lead will be on your side and relentlessly focused on the issues that matter to you.”
However, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney claimed Sir Keir is “offering no change at all” and has challenged the Labour leader to produce an emergency budget to reverse “Tory austerity cuts”.
Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said the party had “already been at the heart of government” in Scotland by backing “the failed SNP-Green coalition on some of their worst decisions”.
“On raising taxes, the disastrous gender self-ID legislation, the illiberal Hate Crimes Act and profoundly damaging rent controls, Scottish Labour MSPs have lined up to back the SNP,” he added.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has rejected claims his party’s stance on oil and gas would cost jobs in the North Sea.
The party has said it would not allow new licences for oil and gas exploration if Sir Keir becomes prime minister after the July 4 election.
But some in the north east of Scotland, including the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce this week, have said the next government has 100 days to save 100,000 jobs in the sector.
“We’re not going to turn the pipes off instantaneously, that’s never been part of our plan,” he told BBC Radio Scotland.
“We’re not going to revoke licences… that means that oil and gas will be part of the mix for decades to come.
“The question is what we do about the transition.”
“I do reject that analysis,” he said when questioned on potential job losses.
“In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the transition could bring more jobs to Scotland and jobs that will last for decades.”
Sir Keir Starmer holding a Labour pledge card (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Sir Keir went on to compare the current situation with the end of coal mining in Britain during the premiership of Margaret Thatcher.
“I think a huge mistake was made when coal started coming to an end and the government of the day didn’t plan for the future and I’m not prepared to let an incoming Labour Government be in that position,” he said.
“We have to plan for the future, do the transition properly and that is the best way to ensure that jobs are there, not just for this generation, but for the next generation after that.”
Sir Keir was also questioned on GB Energy, one of the party’s key pledges in this election campaign, which he said would be an “investment vehicle” as opposed to an energy generation company.
The firm, which he has maintained would be headquartered in Scotland, would be set up with £8 billion of borrowing and would attract, the Labour leader hoped, three times as much in private investment.
“It would be an investment vehicle, not an energy company,” he said.
“The money going into it would be public money, but used to trigger private investment alongside it.”
Sir Keir will travel to Scotland on Friday to speak alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, laying out the party’s six promises to Scotland ahead of the July 4 election.
Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said Labour was offering no change (Jane Barlow/PA)
Speaking ahead of the visit, Sir Keir said: “Labour will deliver a decade of national renewal and the steps set out today are our down payment on that promise.
“From cutting bills to boosting pay to protecting the NHS, the Labour government I lead will be on your side and relentlessly focused on the issues that matter to you.”
However, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney claimed Sir Keir is “offering no change at all” and has challenged the Labour leader to produce an emergency budget to reverse “Tory austerity cuts”.
Scottish Tory chairman Craig Hoy said the party had “already been at the heart of government” in Scotland by backing “the failed SNP-Green coalition on some of their worst decisions”.
“On raising taxes, the disastrous gender self-ID legislation, the illiberal Hate Crimes Act and profoundly damaging rent controls, Scottish Labour MSPs have lined up to back the SNP,” he added.
RED TORY, SIR Keir Starmer vows to work with Donald Trump if both win power despite guilty verdict
Cabinet minister Mel Stride also comments on the ‘extraordinary events’ in Manhattan
TRUMP AFTER HIS CONVICTION FOR FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS AT MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT
AP
Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday that he would work with Donald Trump if both win power, even after the US Republican became the first former president to be convicted of a crime.
Mr Trump’s sentencing after the historic conviction in his hush money trial will take place on July 11, a week after the UK general election when the Labour leader is tipped to replace Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir noted that the process was not complete, with the US Republican expected to appeal after lashing out at the judge, the jury and his accusers - his former lawyer Michael Cohen and ex-porn star Stormy Daniels.
“Obviously we respect the decision of the independent court. There is a bit of process to go with sentencing and appeal,” the Labour leader told BBC Good Morning Scotland.
“But we are in an unprecedented situation, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“Ultimately, whether he’s elected president will be a matter for the American people.
“Obviously, if we are privileged to come into serve we would work with whowever they choose as their president.
“But there is no getting away from the fact that this is a wholly unprecedented situation.”
Mr Trump, 77 faces fines or jail time of up to four years after he was found guilty by a New York jury on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The sentencing is scheduled to happen days before the Republican convention opens on July 15, when he should be formally designated the party’s candidate to take on Joe Biden in the November 4 election.
The sentencing date also marks the conclusion of a Nato summit in Washington when President Biden will be hosting the newly elected UK prime minister and other European leaders.
It could well mark Sir Keir’s debut on the global stage if Labour beat the Conservatives on July 4, as pollsters overwhelmingly expect.
For the Tories, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride declined to comment on the climactic outcome of the trial in New York but echoed that the UK Government would work with whoever is elected in November.
He told Times Radio: “Obviously these are extraordinary events.”
Pressed about whether the PM should trust the president of Britain’s closest ally if he is a convicted criminal, Mr Stride added: “What I’m absolutely sure of is whatever the outcome of the election, and I very much hope that Rishi is back in No10, that we will have a good and enduring, continuing positive relationship with the United States whoever goes on to be president in November.
“That relationship goes back many decades, has always been solid and has always been to our advantage and to the advantage of America in her leadership of the West.”
Cabinet minister Mel Stride also comments on the ‘extraordinary events’ in Manhattan
TRUMP AFTER HIS CONVICTION FOR FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS AT MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT
AP
1 HOUR AGO
Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday that he would work with Donald Trump if both win power, even after the US Republican became the first former president to be convicted of a crime.
Mr Trump’s sentencing after the historic conviction in his hush money trial will take place on July 11, a week after the UK general election when the Labour leader is tipped to replace Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir noted that the process was not complete, with the US Republican expected to appeal after lashing out at the judge, the jury and his accusers - his former lawyer Michael Cohen and ex-porn star Stormy Daniels.
“Obviously we respect the decision of the independent court. There is a bit of process to go with sentencing and appeal,” the Labour leader told BBC Good Morning Scotland.
“But we are in an unprecedented situation, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“Ultimately, whether he’s elected president will be a matter for the American people.
“Obviously, if we are privileged to come into serve we would work with whowever they choose as their president.
“But there is no getting away from the fact that this is a wholly unprecedented situation.”
Mr Trump, 77 faces fines or jail time of up to four years after he was found guilty by a New York jury on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The sentencing is scheduled to happen days before the Republican convention opens on July 15, when he should be formally designated the party’s candidate to take on Joe Biden in the November 4 election.
The sentencing date also marks the conclusion of a Nato summit in Washington when President Biden will be hosting the newly elected UK prime minister and other European leaders.
It could well mark Sir Keir’s debut on the global stage if Labour beat the Conservatives on July 4, as pollsters overwhelmingly expect.
For the Tories, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride declined to comment on the climactic outcome of the trial in New York but echoed that the UK Government would work with whoever is elected in November.
He told Times Radio: “Obviously these are extraordinary events.”
Pressed about whether the PM should trust the president of Britain’s closest ally if he is a convicted criminal, Mr Stride added: “What I’m absolutely sure of is whatever the outcome of the election, and I very much hope that Rishi is back in No10, that we will have a good and enduring, continuing positive relationship with the United States whoever goes on to be president in November.
“That relationship goes back many decades, has always been solid and has always been to our advantage and to the advantage of America in her leadership of the West.”
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