Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has issued a stark warning that Britain's oldest company, the Port of Aberdeen, faces potential closure due to the energy policies of Labour and the SNP, despite having survived nearly 900 years of history, including Viking invasions and Luftwaffe bombings during World War II.
Historic Port Under Threat
During a tour of the port's South Harbour with Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, Findlay emphasised the grave risk posed by current governmental approaches. He stated, 'Aberdeen Harbour is the oldest business in Britain, operational for almost 900 years. It survived the Vikings and the Luftwaffe bombing, but there is a very real chance it won't survive Ed Miliband and John Swinney.'
Established by King David I in 1136 and recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Britain's oldest existing business, the Port of Aberdeen's future is now in jeopardy according to Conservative figures.
Badenoch's Campaign for North Sea Support
Kemi Badenoch used the visit to intensify her campaign for greater support of the North Sea oil and gas industry. She advocated for measures to reduce energy costs for families by approximately £200 annually through the removal of VAT, carbon taxes, and subsidies for wind farms.
Badenoch criticised First Minister John Swinney's pledge to demand devolved energy powers immediately if the SNP secures a majority. She argued, 'What would they do with those powers? Just tax, tax, tax more, but they would not actually allow drilling oil and gas in the North Sea. They would kill what is left of the oil and gas industry.'
She further accused the SNP of being 'just another Left-wing tax-raising party' that fails to address the industry's needs, claiming their policies would devastate remaining operations.
Policy Proposals and Criticisms
Badenoch outlined Conservative commitments to scrap the windfall tax on oil and gas profits, which she claims is driving business away and stifling investment in the UK. She emphasised, 'We need to make sure we can drill our own oil and gas in the North Sea, have those licences, scrap the windfall tax, and also allow the Government to invest elsewhere.'
Highlighting the importance of revenue during supply shocks, she added, 'Our oil and gas industry is an industrial jewel, and we should be supporting it.' Badenoch also labelled Labour's oil and gas policy as 'completely crazy,' without providing specific details.
Swinney's Energy Devolution Plans
In response, during a separate visit to the St Fergus gas terminal in Peterhead, John Swinney reaffirmed his commitment to energy devolution. He stated, 'I want to begin the journey to independence on day one of the new term with the immediate transfer of powers over our energy,' underscoring the SNP's push for greater control over Scottish resources.
The Port of Aberdeen was approached for comment but has not yet responded to the ongoing political debate surrounding its future.
