Labour MP criticises government over Grangemouth | A Scottish Labour MP has said he is “horrified” by Sir Keir Starmer’s “inaction” on the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery.

by backupJM

11 comments

  1. >Brian Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, warned during Prime Minister’s Questions that the closure would spark job losses and weaken national security.

    >He later told BBC Scotland News he was “incredibly disappointed” by the UK government.

    >Sir Keir said his administration would do “everything we can” to support workers and the local community.

    >Petroineos – a joint venture between Chinese state-owned PetroChina and London-based Ineos – intends to shut Scotland’s only refinery in the second quarter of 2025 with the loss of 400 jobs.

    >The company has said the site was facing significant challenges because of global market pressures.

    …

    >”It’s an appalling set of circumstances,” he told the BBC.

    >”We’re the party that were born out of the trade union movement, and right now the inaction on this issue from government level is nowhere near good enough.”

    >Asked if he believes the prime minister “gets it”, Leishman replied: “I honestly don’t think he does.”

    >In July the UK and Scottish governments commissioned Project Willow, a feasibility study on building a new long-term industry at the refinery site.

  3. Disappointed and yet remains a Labour MP for the next four years no doubt with no further grumbles.

  6. Scotland is an oil producing Nation without a refinery whereas England a non oil producing Nation has got five, Grangemouth closure designed to make Scotland more dependent on England.
    Scotland is bullied by it’s closest neighbor.

  7. I remember something about him promising that the jobs would be saved if Labour won. I don’t remember him mentioning that we should expect “horrifying inaction” from his government though.

  8. >Sir Keir Starmer says his government is supporting workers and the local community

    Not *that* local – Scotland’s *miles* and miles away!!

  9. Didn’t the same Labour MP campaign state clearly that only a vote for Labour at the GE would save Grangemouth?! Surely the Unionists would not be lying to the Scottish Electorate?! Again?!

  10. Closure of this critical infrastructure and the loss of refinement capability is a huge strategic misstep that should not be headed by the state-backed influence of foreign state.

  11. Why don’t the SNP do something if it’s that vital to us?

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