Shadow energy security secretary Andrew Bowie has said a Conservative government would legislate for new nuclear power in Scotland, telling SNP ministers to “bring it on” if they object. Speaking at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, he said “no part of Britain will be off limits” for new nuclear sites if the party returns to Downing Street.
Nuclear renewal pledge
The Scottish Government under the SNP has consistently opposed new nuclear power sites north of the border, using devolved planning law to block such projects. That position has long been at odds with successive UK governments.
“The SNP are using devolved planning law to block any nuclear investment in Scotland,” said Mr Bowie. “Their Luddite approach is flying in the face of science, public opinion and common sense – this is the SNP, after all.”
“But I do not want any part of Great Britain to miss out on this nuclear renewal. We will need a third large-scale reactor, we will build that reactor and no part of Britain will be off limits, including Scotland.”
Legislation threat
Mr Bowie said the party would legislate to ensure new nuclear can be built in Scotland. “We will legislate to get it done – no more Mr Nice Guy, no more devolve and forget,” he said.
“Energy is a reserved power of the sovereign parliament of our United Kingdom and I am fed up with the SNP playing games with devolved planning policy to block our nuclear renewal, so we will legislate to ensure new nuclear can and will be built in Scotland.”
“If the nationalists want to stop us from delivering thousands of jobs, economic growth and energy security for Britain, I have one thing to say – bring it on.”
Government response
Scottish energy minister Stephen Gethins accused Mr Bowie of planning to “rip up the powers of the Scottish Parliament”. He said: “The Tory mask has slipped. Not only do they want to impose new nuclear power stations on communities in Scotland, they want to try and do it by ripping up the powers of the Scottish Parliament.”
Mr Gethins added: “Scotland does not need new nuclear power stations which are expensive, take decades to become operational and have huge public and environmental safety concerns. Our focus must be on developing Scotland’s remarkable renewable energy resources which is quicker, cheaper and safer than nuclear.”
He said the Tories had “underlined the threat to Scotland” that would come from them forming the UK government again, and showed “why we need the fresh start of independence to ensure they can never get their way”.
Oil field delays
Mr Bowie also criticised the UK Government over delays in deciding on the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields in the North Sea, claiming the delay was due to fear that voters could shift from Labour to the Greens. Reports suggested the decision could come in September, but no ruling has been made.
“They’re still delaying, and why?” said Mr Bowie. “Because Andy Burnham is running scared of Zack Polanski and the Green Party.”
He added: “This isn’t ideological for us. It is pragmatic, it’s about acting in our national interest, it’s about backing jobs and our energy security. That’s why I, Kemi (Badenoch) and the Conservative Party have been clear – we will scrap the windfall tax, we will end Labour’s ban on new licences, we will approve Jackdaw and Rosebank and go further.”
