Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has stated that the Makerfield by-election is about "one man's job and one man's ego," while the vote in Aberdeen South concerns "thousands of jobs" in the oil and gas sector. She made these remarks during a campaign visit to the Scottish constituency on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's by-election.
Badenoch's Campaign Message
Ms Badenoch echoed statements made by Scottish Tory candidate Douglas Lumsden, emphasizing the significance of the Aberdeen South vote. "Everyone is talking about the by-election in Makerfield, that is about one man's job and one man's ego, but this by-election is about thousands of jobs," she said.
She further declared: "I want everyone to know that we will never stop fighting for Aberdeen. We will never stop fighting for this city. We need to bring jobs back. We need to bring hope back."
Support from Scottish Conservative Leaders
Ms Badenoch was joined by Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Aberdeen South candidate Douglas Lumsden to campaign ahead of the vote. The Conservative leader has been vocal about her party's pro-drilling stance in the North Sea, asserting that voting for the Tories would send a message that "we back the oil and gas industry."
She added: "What people can see is that we can win here in Aberdeen South. Conservatives can win, but we need even people who don't normally vote Conservative to support us, so that we can send a message to the Labour Government and to the SNP that we will back the oil and gas industry."
Ms Badenoch urged voters to support Lumsden: "It's the only way to send a message by voting for Douglas Lumsden on Thursday June 18. He has lived in Aberdeen all his life, he's worked in the oil and gas sector, he's helped to run the council, he's from here, he cares about the city, as do I."
Championing Oil and Gas
She continued: "I have been championing oil and gas since I became leader of the Conservative Party. I want us to scrap the energy profits levy. Labour has doubled down on it. It's been going on too long. We need to get Scotland to drilling again. So, let's do that."
Referendum on Oil and Gas
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay described the by-election as a "referendum on oil and gas." He said: "Today is Kemi's third visit of the campaign. She understands that this by-election is a referendum on oil and gas."
He added: "She understands, having visited multiple businesses in this area, about the thousands upon thousands of jobs that have already been lost. With many more in jeopardy as businesses decide, due to the hostility, not just of Ed Miliband's Labour but the SNP, that they will take their money and their jobs elsewhere."
Mr Findlay noted: "And we've got less than 48 hours now until the election, and it's on an absolute knife edge."
The SNP and the UK Government have been approached for comment.
