SNP MSP Jack Middleton has broken with his party's stance by urging the UK Government to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields, citing thousands of jobs and economic benefits for Scotland. The move comes after the SNP lost the Aberdeen South by-election last month.
Middleton's Position
In a video posted on X, Middleton, a former Scottish Government adviser under Humza Yousaf and John Swinney, said: "I believe in three key things – supporting Scottish jobs, strengthening our country’s energy security and building the renewables industry that we are going to need in the future." He warned the world is "in the most dangerous period of time that we’ve faced since the end of the Second World War" and argued for using domestic resources to reduce reliance on imports from the Middle East and Russia.
Scottish Government's Evolving Stance
The SNP-led Scottish Government has shifted its position on new oil and gas. Under Nicola Sturgeon, there was a presumption against new drilling, but the current stance allows developments that pass "climate compatibility tests." First Minister John Swinney has indicated these tests should consider the benefits of domestic production over imports. However, energy policy remains reserved to the UK Government.
Support from Labour and Business
Middleton signed an open letter from the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, alongside SNP MP Kirsty Blackman and seven Scottish Labour MPs, calling for "timely and positive decisions" on Jackdaw and Rosebank. He argued that using domestically-produced oil and gas would reduce carbon-intensive imports and generate billions in tax revenue, which should be ring-fenced for Scotland's renewables sector.
Political Context
The announcement follows the SNP's loss of the Aberdeen South by-election to the Scottish Tories, a contest dominated by oil and gas issues. Local SNP sources blamed the party's position for the defeat. Former SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said some would need to "reflect" on the result. A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers share Middleton's view on energy security and investment, and that projects must be assessed case-by-case for climate compatibility.
