New Scottish Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden said his victory in the Aberdeen South by-election is an instruction to Labour and the SNP to “end the war on North Sea oil and gas immediately”.
Lumsden, who won the seat with a thumping majority of 6,050 by picking up 50 per cent of the vote share, warned Keir Starmer and John Swinney to finally drop their opposition to new drilling after “arrogantly and recklessly” ignoring public opinion for years.
The Scottish Conservatives, who framed the by-election as a referendum on the future of the oil and gas industry, are also demanding an immediate end to the windfall tax.
Lumsden added that he would be “a relentless champion” for the sector and his home city in the House of Commons.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay hailed Lumsden’s triumph as a victory for common sense and a major boost for his party.
Scottish Conservative MP for Aberdeen South Douglas Lumsden said: “The people of Aberdeen South have spoken and their message to the Labour and SNP governments is crystal clear: end the war on North Sea oil and gas immediately.
“It’s time to get drilling in the North Sea again. The ban on new licences and the windfall tax must both go.
“Keir Starmer and John Swinney have arrogantly and recklessly ignored public opinion for years – and the consequences for Aberdeen have been devastating.
“Oil and gas was the overwhelming issue on the doorsteps and people who had not voted Scottish Conservative in the past rallied to us because we’re the only party standing up to the net-zero zealotry of Labour and the SNP.
“I was elected because of my support for oil and gas, and I will be a relentless champion for the sector and my home city which depends on it.
“I’m hugely grateful to the people of Aberdeen South for putting their trust in me. I won’t let them down.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “This is a stunning win for Douglas Lumsden and the Scottish Conservatives that will send shock waves through Downing Street and Bute House.
“Huge congratulations to Douglas and his team for running a brilliant campaign. Theirs is a deserved victory for common sense and a great boost for the Scottish Conservatives.
“The people of Aberdeen are rightly furious at being betrayed by Labour and the SNP over oil and gas, and they recognise that the Scottish Conservatives have their back.
“John Swinney and the divided Labour government ignore this result at their peril. It’s time for them to U-turn and back new drilling in the North Sea.”