Douglas Lumsden, a newly elected Tory MP for Aberdeen South, claims that Europe’s former oil capital is being harmed by policies of Labour and SNP governments. At the Conservative conference, he highlighted his victory as a referendum on North Sea drilling, emphasizing support for the industry and job creation. He criticized current government choices for causing significant job losses in the sector while importing oil from abroad. Oil company Equinor warned it might halt future UK investments if approvals for Jackdaw and Rosebank fields are not granted, underscoring concerns about the UK’s attractiveness to foreign investment in the oil industry.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
The former oil capital of Europe is being ‘sabotaged’ by the policies of the Labour and SNP governments, according to the newest Tory MP.
uncertain
capital → sabotage → MP
Douglas Lumsden was given a key slot at Conservative conference introducing Kemi Badenoch after he resoundingly won the Aberdeen South by-election, which he had billed as a local referendum on North Sea drilling.
asserted
he → give → drilling
He said that the victory proves that the Tories can win when they stand up for conservative values.
asserted
they → say → values
Mr Lumsden said: ‘For the first 20 years of my career, I worked in the oil and gas industry that has been the lifeblood of my hometown for half a century.
asserted
that → say → century
I was there for Aberdeen’s boom, but I’ve also watched its decline.
asserted
I → watch → decline
‘Because Aberdeen’s fortunes are linked to the oil and gas industry and that means that they are tied to the policies of the government of the day.
asserted
they → link → day
‘And unfortunately, Europe’s former oil capital is being sabotaged by the choices of this Labour government and the SNP in Scotland.
asserted
capital → sabotage → Scotland
‘One thousand jobs are being lost every single month in the industry, all while we import oil and gas from overseas.
asserted
we → lose → oil
It simply doesn’t make sense.’
asserted
It → make → sense
He said that during the by-election, voters were clear that supporting the Conservatives was backing the oil and gas industry, supporting jobs and standing up for hard-working people.
asserted
supporting → say → people
Oil company Equinor warned it could decide against future investment in the UK if the Jackdaw and Rosebank North Sea fields are not approved
Mr Lumsden said: ‘We stood on our principles, had the strength of our convictions and we won 50 per cent of the vote.
‘
uncertain
we → warn → vote
We won the backing of many people who had never voted Conservative before.
asserted
who → win → people
Because when this party stands up for common-sense, conservative values, we can win.
asserted
we → stand → values
‘And when people see that the Conservatives are on their side, that our leader Kemi Badenoch is on their side, that we want to protect jobs, grow the economy and get things working again, they will get behind us.’
asserted
they → see → us
He also praised the role Mrs Badenoch played in the victory, and said ‘her name came up time and time again on the doors’.
asserted
name → praise → doors
Oil company Equinor also increased the pressure on the Labour Government by warning it could decide against future investment in the UK if the Jackdaw and Rosebank North Sea fields are not approved.
uncertain
fields → increase → UK
Anders Opedal, the boss of the Norwegian state oil company, suggested the company would look elsewhere if final approval is not granted for the giant oil and gas sites.
uncertain
approval → suggest → sites
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Opedal said the decision on whether to greenlight the two sites was ‘a political choice’.
asserted
decision → say → sites
He said: ‘The question will be: is the UK investable in the future?
asserted
UK → say → future
I hope it will not come to that.
asserted
it → hope → that
‘It’s a political choice.
asserted
It → ’ → ?
The North Sea oil and gas industry started on the UK side.
asserted
industry → start → side
Douglas Lumsden said his by-election victory proves that the Tories can win when they stand up for conservative values
‘
asserted
they → say → values
We learned from the UK and it’s actually the same geology on both sides of the border – several fields actually cross it.
asserted
fields → learn → it
‘The licence was awarded in 2001, the discovery was made in 2004 and the final investment decision in 2023.’
asserted
discovery → award → 2023
Tory MP Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy secretary, said: ‘If Labour choose not to approve Jackdaw and Rosebank, it could signal the very end of our great North Sea oil and gas industry.
uncertain
it → say → industry
‘This stark warning from Equinor could not be any clearer to Andy Burnham — support Jackdaw and Rosebank or face the serious consequences.
uncertain
warning → support → consequences
‘If Labour continue to wage war on oil and gas, then it’s inevitable businesses like Equinor will cut jobs and head for the exit, never to return.’
asserted
businesses → continue → exit
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokeswoman said: ‘We do not comment on speculation.
asserted
We → say → speculation
‘The North Sea remains a vital national asset and oil and gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come – alongside transitioning to clean power to protect jobs and tackle the climate crisis.
asserted
oil → remain → crisis
‘Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, including environmental assessments and public representations received during the consultation process.’
asserted
decision → take → process
The Aporia
