Aberdeen South By-Election Turns on North Sea Oil and Jobs
The June 18 vote could transfer North Sea licensing alongside tax powers to a party that will shape Aberdeen’s economic future.
Overview
- The seat was vacated when SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn moved to Holyrood, triggering a June 18 by-election that has become focused on oil and gas policy.
- SNP candidate Richard Thomson argues Westminster policies and the windfall tax cost the region billions and tens of thousands of jobs while promising devolved control to protect workers.
- Conservative candidate Douglas Lumsden blames SNP policies for job losses and says the party will scrap the windfall tax and support more North Sea drilling.
- Reform leader Nigel Farage visited the area on Tuesday to accuse the Conservatives of 'killing the North Sea' and to push for increased domestic production and fewer constraints.
- Polls show a three-way contest between the SNP, Conservatives and Reform UK, with the result seen as likely to affect licensing, tax revenue flows and the future of local energy employment.