Tory MP claims Europe's former oil capital is being 'sabotaged' by the choices of Labour and SNP governments

The former oil capital of Europe is being ‘sabotaged’ by the policies of the Labour and SNP governments, according to the newest Tory MP. Douglas Lumsden was given a key slot at Conservative conference introducing Kemi Badenoch after he resoundingly won the Aberdeen South by-election, which he had billed as a local referendum on North Sea drilling. He said that the victory proves that the Tories can win when they stand up for conservative values. Mr Lumsden said: ‘For the first 20 years of my career, I worked in the oil and gas industry that has been the lifeblood of my hometown for half a century. I was there for Aberdeen’s boom, but I’ve also watched its decline. ‘Because Aberdeen’s fortunes are linked to the oil and gas industry and that means that they are tied to the policies of the government of the day. ‘And unfortunately, Europe’s former oil capital is being sabotaged by the choices of this Labour government and the SNP in Scotland. ‘One thousand jobs are being lost every single month in the industry, all while we import oil and gas from overseas. It simply doesn’t make sense.’ He said that during the by-election, voters were clear that supporting the Conservatives was backing the oil and gas industry, supporting jobs and standing up for hard-working people. Oil company Equinor warned it could decide against future investment in the UK if the Jackdaw and Rosebank North Sea fields are not approved Mr Lumsden said: ‘We stood on our principles, had the strength of our convictions and we won 50 per cent of the vote. ‘We won the backing of many people who had never voted Conservative before. Because when this party stands up for common-sense, conservative values, we can win. ‘And when people see that the Conservatives are on their side, that our leader Kemi Badenoch is on their side, that we want to protect jobs, grow the economy and get things working again, they will get behind us.’ He also praised the role Mrs Badenoch played in the victory, and said ‘her name came up time and time again on the doors’. Oil company Equinor also increased the pressure on the Labour Government by warning it could decide against future investment in the UK if the Jackdaw and Rosebank North Sea fields are not approved. Anders Opedal, the boss of the Norwegian state oil company, suggested the company would look elsewhere if final approval is not granted for the giant oil and gas sites. In an interview with the BBC, Mr Opedal said the decision on whether to greenlight the two sites was ‘a political choice’. He said: ‘The question will be: is the UK investable in the future? I hope it will not come to that. ‘It’s a political choice. The North Sea oil and gas industry started on the UK side. Douglas Lumsden said his by-election victory proves that the Tories can win when they stand up for conservative values ‘We learned from the UK and it’s actually the same geology on both sides of the border – several fields actually cross it. ‘The licence was awarded in 2001, the discovery was made in 2004 and the final investment decision in 2023.’ Tory MP Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy secretary, said: ‘If Labour choose not to approve Jackdaw and Rosebank, it could signal the very end of our great North Sea oil and gas industry. ‘This stark warning from Equinor could not be any clearer to Andy Burnham — support Jackdaw and Rosebank or face the serious consequences. ‘If Labour continue to wage war on oil and gas, then it’s inevitable businesses like Equinor will cut jobs and head for the exit, never to return.’ A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokeswoman said: ‘We do not comment on speculation. ‘The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis. ‘Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.’