Labour's 'industrial vandalism' blamed for helping lead Tories to by-election victory

Furious unions have branded the Government's energy policy “industrial vandalism” after the Tories swept to victory in Aberdeen.

The Conservative win in the Aberdeen South by-election has “sent a message that couldn’t be clearer” on the future of the North Sea, MPs say.

And union Unite, which has long insisted there “can be no jobless transition” in the North Sea, said the result was the “direct result of failed Labour policies on oil and gas”.

The by-election had been framed as a “referendum on oil and gas”.

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Throughout the campaign, the Conservatives had pointed to Labour’s ban on new North Sea licences and refusal to lift the windfall tax.

It led to the first win for the Scottish Conservatives in a Westminster by-election in more than 50 years.

One former North Sea worker said of the result: “It's great to see the people of the city backing the industry that has served them for so long.”

Mr Lumsden told voters after his victory: “Aberdeen has spoken, loud and clear.

“We stopped the SNP and we sent Labour a message that the destruction to the North Sea oil and gas industry must stop now.”

Unions blamed the result on the Government’s treatment of the oil and gas sector, which they said was “nothing short of a disgrace”.

Until Labour positions itself as the party of the workers again, “workers will continue to abandon Labour in their droves”, said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham.

She said: “The Aberdeen South result is a direct result of failed Labour policies on oil and gas, which have been an abject failure.

“The tin-eared approach to the concerns of workers, by letting go of one rope before we have hold of another, has been absolutely shameful.

“Unite will not accept a jobless transition. Until there is a credible plan for jobs, the anti-North Sea policies must be consigned to the bin.

“It is not just in the North Sea where the government’s energy policies are failing. The industrial vandalism approach by Labour in this sector has been laid bare for all to see.

“Allowing two refineries to close at a time when the UK is crying out for the production of green aviation fuel, as a result of Labour’s own targets, is nothing short of a disgrace.

“Labour must have a plan to back British industry. Labour is supposed to be the party of workers, that is yet to be seen in any real way.

“Until that happens, workers will continue to abandon Labour in their droves.”

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Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said Mr Lumsden could be the “champion” the sector needed.

But he called for “urgent action to restore investor confidence in the UK Continental Shelf”, including an immediate end to the North Sea windfall tax.

He said: “Congratulations to Douglas Lumsden - we have worked closely with him during his time as an MSP and look forward to continuing that relationship now he has been elected to the Westminster Parliament.

“The North-east needs strong champions of its oil and gas sector, and Douglas has consistently demonstrated his understanding of the industry's importance to our regional and national economy.

“Our region has a vital role to play in the UK's energy future and we remain committed to championing the policies that will help businesses invest, grow and create opportunities for generations to come.

“That must include urgent action to restore investor confidence in the UK Continental Shelf, beginning with an immediate end to the Energy Profits Levy now, and a swift transition to the proposed Oil and Gas Price Mechanism.

“Businesses need certainty, stability and a competitive fiscal regime if they are to continue investing in domestic energy production, safeguarding jobs and supporting the UK's long-term energy security.”

Former North Sea workers said the sector remained crucial for energy security.

Maurice Tidy, 85, worked for offshore specialists Brown & Root as a proposal manager in the North Sea heyday.

He said: “Aberdeen has always been so important for the North Sea and it's great to see the people of the city backing the industry that has served them for so long.

“Politicians have forgotten how much the North Sea has given us and seem to be ignoring what it still has to offer. It's vital for so many things, including our energy security.

“I hope this vote sends a very clear message to Westminster that we need to cherish the North Sea and protect its workers.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “What is happening right now, as we kill the oil and gas sector, is we are killing our energy security.”

The by-election result means that “a message has been sent that we do need to drill our own oil in the North Sea, not take oil from Russia or Norway when we have got our own oil right here”, she added.

Urging the Government to back new oil and gas projects, she said: “It is time to lift the ban… let Jackdaw and Rosebank drill, and provide energy and security to this country and to homes all across the UK.”

Harriet Cross, Tory MP for Gordon and Buchan, said: “This is a phenomenal result for Douglas, the Conservatives and for the oil and gas sector.

“This election was a referendum on the Government’s oil and gas policy. “Aberdeen has sent a message that could not be clearer.”

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