SNP-Green pact puts Scotland’ s oil in peril – poll

Survey shows a third believe power sharing bad for offshore industry

ONE in three voters believe the SNP’s power-sharing agreement with the Greens is hurting Scotland’s oil and gas industry.

A poll has revealed the concerns voters have for the economic impact on the north and northeast, after months of fierce debate around the security of North Sea oil and gas jobs.

Only a quarter of those surveyed by Opinium think the deal struck between the two parties will have a positive effect.

The opinion poll comes in the wake of the divisive proposals to develop the Cambo oil field west of Shetland, which eventually prompted Nicola Sturgeon say the project “should not get the green light”.

The majority of overall survey respondents are against the first minister’s position, except for those aged 18-34.

Half the respondents agreed both the Scottish and UK governments should support Aberdeen in its transition from fossil fuel reliance.

A total of 62% of voters think oil and gas companies have a positive impact on the Scottish economy, with just 6% thinking they have a negative one, according to the survey which was conducted earlier this month.

More than a third of voters think the SNP-Green coalition will have a negative impact on north and north-east Scotland, a new study suggests.

The survey by Opinium shows 36% of respondents had a pessimistic view compared with one quarter who think it will be positive in a region dealing with an uncertain economic future.

The findings follow months of fierce debate around the security of North Sea oil and gas jobs since the agreement between the SNP and Greens was signed earlier this year.

The research also shows more than a third of people either don’t know about the impact of the deal, or had not made up their minds.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was accused of failing the region by her predecessor Alex Salmond who claims the SNP has “kicked the north-east in the teeth” in an attack on the party’s opposition to oil and gas development.

Proposals to develop the Cambo oilfield west of Shetland have proved divisive.

The first minister eventually said the project “should not get the green light”, sparking a political fight about the region’s economic future.

The majority of overall survey respondents are against the first minister’s position, except for those aged 18-34 who support her position in higher numbers.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, now a government minister, was heavily criticised last week after suggesting only the “hard right” now support new oil and gas extraction.

Speaking in the wake of Shell’s decision to withdraw from the controversial Cambo scheme, he claimed the Tories were now “isolated” on the future of the sector. There is also pressure for the UK and Scottish Governments to deliver on vital investment to support Aberdeen in transitioning to net-zero.

Nearly half the respondents agreed both governments should support the Granite City in its transition from fossil fuel reliance, underlying the need for a clear and funded alternative plan.

Just one-fifth think funds should be spent elsewhere.

Ms Sturgeon told The Press and Journal last week she was determined to give workers a fair deal in the move to low-carbon energy and jobs. The SNP leader said she is committed to supporting the industry and “securing jobs in the region for the long-term”.

She had to postpone a planned trip to the north-east due to the emerging threat of the Omicron variant.

Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said the results of the survey are the “result of Nicola Sturgeon abandoning oil and gas workers”.

He said: “The SNP have given up on the north-east, and now it looks like people in the north-east are giving up on them.

“Together, the SNP-Green coalition represent an existential threat to livelihoods here, the local economy and public services.

The survey, which was conducted online between December 8 and 15, reveals a total of 62% of voters think oil and gas companies have a positive impact on the Scottish economy, with just 6% thinking it has a negative one.

More respondents felt the deal would be bad news for energy investment in Scotland with 28% of those polled thinking it will lead to less investment, versus 19% who think it will lead to more.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Our first Just Transition Plan, being developed as part of a refreshed energy strategy, will set out how the economic and social impacts of the transition will be managed.”

The spokesman said the government is already investing with a £75 million Energy Transition Fund, £100m Green Jobs Fund and £500m Just Transition Fund for the north-east and Moray.

Opinium surveyed 517 adults from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands and islands, Orkney, Shetland, Dundee, Perth and Kinross, and Angus.

SURVEY: More than a third of voters think the SNP-Greens coalition will impact the north negatively.