North Sea security and Piper Alpha plea from new Aberdeen South MP
Douglas Lumsden put the future of oil and gas at the centre of his first pitch to Westminster.
Newly elected Aberdeen South MP Douglas Lumsden said he should be judged by how loudly he makes the case for energy jobs.
The former Aberdeen city council co-leader and MSP put North Sea jobs at the forefront his election campaign – and explained why in his first address at Westminster.
Mr Lumsden won the by-election in June after Stephen Flynn shifted to Holyrood, leaving a vacancy.
The contest turned into a national debate on energy, rooted in job security in the north-east.
Future of oil and gas
In the Commons on Tuesday night, Mr Lumsden said: “The people of Aberdeen have had enough of the wilful destruction of the oil and gas industry, destruction of their jobs and destruction of their local economy.”
He said Mr Flynn, who is now in the Scottish Government, knows the importance of the industry too and must apply pressure on the first minister to “get off the fence”.
Mr Lumsden said energy plays a critical role in the city’s prosperity, adding: “It is a privilege to represent so many distinctive parts of the city — from the great south harbour at Torry, to Hazlehead Park, where the Piper Alpha memorial stands.
“That memorial is a testament to the dangerous, demanding work our oil and gas workers carry out week in, week out, for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom.
“Energy security is national security, and it is too easy to forget the sacrifices, large and small, made by this sector so that the rest of us can enjoy the benefits of modern life.”
He continued: “I am sure that my time here will be judged not just on the basis of how I can help constituents with their issues, or the quality of legislation that I pass. My time here will be judged how loudly and firmly I can make the case for our oil and gas workers.”
SNP claims opponents want to syphon off oil revenue
Mr Lumsden secured a landslide win in the by-election by more than 6,000 votes over the SNP’s Richard Thomson, who finished second.
Aberdeen Central SNP MSP Jack Middleton said: “The SNP use their seats in Westminster to demand the Labour Government do right by workers here, back our offshore industry and fight for Scottish revenues to benefit the Scottish people.
“Rather than playing politics, Douglas Lumsden must do the same and work with the SNP to see an end to the hated windfall tax the Tories introduced.
“The fact is though – be it Labour, the Tories or Reform – all of the Westminster parties want to syphon off our resources and give nothing back in return. It is Westminster’s age old tradition and Douglas Lumsden will follow suit as requested by his paymasters.”
[Source: Press and Journal]
