Starmer gives biggest hint yet party will base energy company in Aberdeen
SIR Keir Starmer has given the biggest hint yet that the party will base a publicly owned energy company in Aberdeen if it wins the next election.
Labour says that setting up a Great British Energy could take up to £1,400 off annual household bills and support 50,000 jobs.
Business leaders in the north-east have long urged him to commit to head-quartering the firm in Aberdeen.
Following a meeting with energy leaders, Sir Keir said: “Labour will deliver lower bills, good jobs and energy security for Scotland and the whole UK, as Britain leads the world in the fight against climate change.
“The route to making Britain a clean energy superpower, slashing energy bills and creating tens of thousands of quality jobs runs through Scotland.
“It’s clear that so much of the expertise that is needed to make Scotland the UK the first clean energy superpower is here in Scotland – and particularly the north-east.
“Our energy plans will be made in Scotland... cutting energy bills for Scottish families and delivering the jobs and investment in Scottish communities that for far too long have been let down by the SNP and Conservatives.”
His visit to the city comes six months after he promised to make the trip after being invited by the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking ahead of what she described as a “flying visit” by Sir Keir, the SNP’S Energy Minister Gillian Martin said: “It speaks volumes that the sum of Labour’s ambition for energy-rich Scotland is merely to annex a portion of a Whitehall department north of the border. Frankly, it’s an insult to the people of the north-east who deserve much better from Westminster.”
Sir Keir’s visit comes just days after he faced the biggest rebellion of his leadership, with 56 of his MPS defying the whip to back an SNP motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
He was asked about the party division as he visited the Inchdairnie distillery in Glenrothes.
Sir Keir told ITV News: “Of course I want us to move forward as united as we can as a party, but you wouldn’t expect me to stand here today and say my concern is the Labour Party management rather than the hostages and the innocent civilians and children that are dying in Gaza. My focus and attention is there, and that’s where it is and where it will always be.”
During the visit, he criticised the UK Government’s “unforgivable” trade strategy. He said a government he leads would put in place a trade strategy that would “back Scotch producers to the hilt”.