The row over a Chinese-owned wind turbine factory in the Highlands is becoming a political football between Labour and the SNP.
Political Dispute Over Factory
At Holyrood, John Swinney argues the Ming Yang factory needs to be given the go-ahead to provide 1,500 much-needed jobs in the Inverness area. But at Westminster, Labour claims the Chinese-owned factory could compromise national security.
Labour energy minister Michael Shanks yesterday insisted the First Minister was being “irresponsible” in his support for a new factory.
Security and Job Creation
It is clearly legitimate for the UK Government to take national security into account, especially when dealing with potentially hostile foreign countries like China. But the big question for Labour is this – if it is going to reject this factory, how else does it propose to create 1,500 high-quality jobs in the Highlands?
Because at every turn, it seems that opportunities to revitalise this part of Scotland are being squandered. When it comes to job creation in the Highlands, the SNP also has a lot to answer for.
SNP's Record in the Highlands
Its flip-flopping over support for North Sea oil is a constant source of insecurity in an industry that has sustained thousands of jobs in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire for decades. It’s not just in the energy sector that economic growth in the Highlands is being thwarted.
The SNP promised to dual the A9 main road to Inverness – but that has never materialised. That means tourism, manufacturing and other industries are being constantly hit by transport delays – as this vital artery is more like a country lane at some points.
Need for a Clear Case
The Highlands is a beautiful part of the country. But people need to live AND work in the area. If Labour is going to reject a factory sustaining 1,500 jobs, it will need to set out a rock solid case for doing so.
