Union leaders in Scotland have issued a stark warning to the UK and Scottish governments, urging immediate action to protect jobs in the energy sector amid concerns that the rising popularity of the Reform party could be fuelled by economic insecurity. The GMB Scotland has emphasised that safeguarding the offshore oil and gas industry and accelerating the creation of jobs in clean energy are critical to preventing working-class voters from turning to Nigel Farage’s party.
Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, voiced strong concerns over the current political climate, highlighting the increasing appeal of Reform, which champions a pro-oil, pro-gas, and pro-coal platform while downplaying the impacts of climate change. Speaking to the Daily Record, Gilmour said, “Ministers seem like rabbits caught in the headlights as Nigel Farage careers around the country saying whatever is necessary to win votes. It is shameless but he understands people have heard too much about renewables jobs that don’t yet exist and reduced heating bills that have not yet arrived.”
She drew attention to the loss of well-paid jobs in oil and gas and criticised the trend of green energy manufacturing contracts being awarded abroad rather than to Scottish companies. “Both governments need to do far more, far quicker to underpin jobs in energy, manufacturing and engineering in Scotland,” she stated. “Farage promising jobs tomorrow will mean nothing if our governments are seen to be securing and creating jobs today.”
The warning comes ahead of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) Congress, which begins this Sunday in Dundee. The opening debate will focus on slowing the rise of the far-right in Scotland. However, unions are preparing to reveal that some 2,000 jobs in the offshore sector were lost last year, challenging the notion that a “just transition” to renewable energy has yet materialised. The GMB will argue there remains no concrete plan to create equivalent, well-paid jobs in renewable manufacturing and operations at the necessary pace or scale.
The Reform party, which continues to gain traction in polls with up to 17% support in Scotland despite having little organisational presence, strongly advocates for a return to fossil fuels and questions the UK's net zero commitments. Nigel Farage has also recently lent his backing to the nationalisation of British Steel and taken credit for government intervention to preserve the last blast furnaces in Scunthorpe.
Political analysts suggest that Reform is seeking to attract voters traditionally aligned with the Conservative Party on immigration issues and Labour on industrial revitalisation, intensifying competition for votes amid current economic uncertainties. Notably, Reform was excluded from a recent all-party summit convened by Scotland's Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, aimed at addressing the surge in far-right politics—a summit some critics labelled ineffective.
Gilmour concluded by underscoring the need for tangible policy measures focused on job creation and economic security, rather than symbolic summits. She said, “Impactful policies that create and secure jobs making lives better for ordinary Scots will win votes not meetings and summits however well-meaning.”
She stressed the continued importance of oil and gas during the transition to renewables, warning against policies that might inadvertently harm Scotland’s energy industry and workforce. “Climate change is real and so is the need for our country to transition to renewable energy but that must be done without self-harming. We cannot afford to risk hundreds of thousands of jobs rooted in oil and gas while new jobs in renewables remain a hope rather than reality.”
The GMB’s intervention highlights the political and economic tensions surrounding Scotland’s energy future, job security in traditional industries, and the evolving political landscape as parties compete to address these challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services