Page 6 - EurOil Week 47 2021

EurOil COMMENTARY EurOil

Sturgeon faces criticism from

predecessor over Cambo

Salmond says Cambo’s revenues could be diverted to the energy transition

UK FORMER Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Undermining independence
has criticised his successor Nicola Sturgeon for The former leader said SNP loyalists were
WHAT: her opposition to the Cambo oilfield, suggesting “baulking” at defending a “party which effec-
Scotland’s first minister her actions are comparable to those of Margaret tively wants to shut down the area’s key industry.”
has expressed opposition Thatcher. He said it would be “akin to Margaret Thatcher”
to the Cambo oil project. Sturgeon has expressed concern about Cam- trying to win in former mining areas. The SNP’s
bo’s environmental impact before, but has previ- position could say “farewell to thousands of
WHY: ously refrained from expressing clear opposition north-east of Scotland votes.”
She cited environmental to the project, set to recover some 170mn bar- By opposing Cambo, the SNP could
concerns.t rels of oil. This changed on November 16, when also undermine Scotland’s second bid for
she said the project should not get the green light. independence.
WHAT NEXT: Salmond backed Sturgeon to replace him as ‘For 50 years, the clarion call of ‘It’s Scotland’s
Her predecessor has said Scottish leader in 2014. The pair campaigned oil’ has fired the engine of Scottish independ-
that blocking the project together that year in Scotland’s unsuccessful ence,” Salmond said. “Last week Nicola Sturgeon
would undermine the independence referendum, both stressing that turned off the switch in a response to a parlia-
Scottish economy and its Scotland’s remaining oil reserves would sup- mentary taunt from a Labour MSP.”
bid for independence. port an independent Scotland economically. “She came out against the development of the
Salmond has since left the Scottish Nationalist massive new Cambo oilfield,” he continued. “The
Party (SNP) and earlier this year formed his own consequences could be far-reaching and not just
pro-independence Alba Party. for the SNP but for the whole independence

P6 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 47 25•November•2021