On June 5:
British Labour leader Keir Starmer described nuclear power as a “key part” of the UK’s energy mix, and said his party would “push” nuclear power to “lower household energy bills, create jobs and ensure the energy security of the United Kingdom”. Starmer further accused the conservatives of a “chaotic” failure to try to open nuclear power plants during the 13 years he has been in power. As reported by “The Guardian” newspaper, the Labor leader will today visit Hinkley Point C in Somerset, one of several new nuclear facilities still not operational despite receiving the license in 2012. Starmer’s promise to block new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and a focus on nuclear energy is a key element of Labour’s environmental platform.
https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/nuclear-starmer-is-a-key-part-of-the-uk%27s-energy-mix/
How will his representative in Scotland react?
He made his views clear in 2021:
Is this wise?
Leaving aside the electoral risk in Scotland:
In March 2023, the Herald had:
The police force that guards the UK’s nuclear plants reported 37 security breaches last year, including the thefts of a uniform, confidential documents, an officer’s day book and three “classified” Microsoft tablets.
19 cases where staff lost their warrant or ID cards.
The 37 incidents reported last year was the highest number for 8 years.https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23362809.civil-nuclear-constabulary-reports-37-security-breaches-one-year/?ref=ebbn
Theft of a uniform and loss of ID? Isn’t that a bit scary? You don’t have to be too paranoid to wonder why someone might want a uniform and ID. See:
There were 456 nuclear energy security warnings in the UK in 2021. Reported incidents include physical security issues, such as unauthorised people gaining unsupervised access to secure areas, as well as cybersecurity issues such as attacks by malicious software.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/26/security-warnings-at-uk-nuclear-energy-facilities-hit-12-year-high#:~:text=There%20were%20456%20nuclear%20energy%20security%20warnings%20in%20the%20UK%20in%202021&text=Reported%20incidents%20include%20physical%20security,as%20attacks%20by%20malicious%20software.
Are UK nuclear facilities protected well?
Nuclear power plants were not designed to withstand some forms of terrorist attack, such as large aircraft impact, but existing safety and security regimes provide some [sic] defence.https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/post/postpr222.pdf
In November 2022, we had:
The current PM has accused the long-standing FM:
This ‘energy crisis‘ in Scotland with four times more gas than we use and having to transfer huge amounts of electricity to rUK?
An unholy alliance of the Scottish Cons and the GMB are with the PM on this daft notion.
I’m grateful to Frances McKie for alerting me to this evidence that it’s dafter than I had known:
Two weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron announced a 52-billion euro ($54 billion) plan for EDF to build at least six new EPR reactors, placing nuclear power at the heart of France’s drive for carbon neutrality while also boosting its energy security. France derived 69% of its electricity output from atomic power last year.
The Flamanville plant – which once fully operational will be producing enough power to keep a city like Paris going for a year – was originally expected to cost 3.3 billion euros and start operations in 2012.
It is now due to start loading fuel – one of the final stages before the start up of a plant – in the second quarter of 2023, and at the latest count the estimated cost had risen to 12.7 billion euros.https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/edf-hopeful-end-sight-long-delayed-budget-busting-nuclear-plant-2022-06-16/
Frances, now our Nuclear Correspondent unpaid, had already alerted to me to the fact that up to 50% of France’s nuclear power stations are commonly offline due to rust!
Sounds like we’re doing well to miss out on all this.
Does Scottish Labour have a clue?
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Simple answer to your final question- No.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As always British Labour are only concerned about England and it’s requirements.
Scotland’s potential to produce large quantities of cheap,reliable, eco friendly power from renewables (none of which nuclear can lay claim to) is being throttled by Westminster.
The question is why and to what purpose?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Scottish Labour will repeat the same guff as UK Labour whether Sarwar or any of the rest of that rabble have a clue or not.
It is worth recalling that Scotland overproduced from wind power in 2016, and both Scotland and Wales are net energy exporters TO ENGLAND – Now re-read Starmer’s “the energy security of the United Kingdom” bullshit and ponder.
England has both an energy and water shortfall, and will have to build ca 60 desalination plants in the next 20 years to avert the latter crisis, which demands power they simply don’t have.
The created “energy market” from 33 years ago is still penalising both Scots consumers and producers to subsidise the south of England.
Anybody else old enough to remember the nuclear energy boom which would produce energy so cheaply it wouldn’t be worth billing for ?
That worked out well….
LikeLiked by 3 people
That lie was to gaslight us, when what they wanted was Plutonium for their Hydrogen bomb.
Just for info, the Torness and Haysham AGRs are due to start decommissioning in 2025, a loss of some 2GW installed capacity.
The new French power stations were off-line last summer with loss of cooling water for the condensers as they are on River sites. The sea side units continued to run.
Yes the new plants have corrosion problems.
Decommissioned nuclear power plants are a drain on the grid as they require power to maintain critical systems, for a long time.
The Hunterston AGRs cannot be brought back into service as the grid switchgear has moved to the new station being built. The coolant gas for the switchgear is now banned for new switchgear but you can get it for existing switchgear, ‘grandfather’ rights.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Illegal wars. Nuclear waste being flown around the world. Nuclear waste and Trident dumped on Scotland without a permission. Labour cut funding for tidal projects at Humber and elsewhere. Cost £10Billion. Hickley Point overtime and £Billions over budget. A total waste of public money. A disaster waiting to happen beside the sea.
Westminster spends £13Billion a year on nuclear decommissions, over ten years. £130Billion+. The Tories cut a tidal project in Wales. £1Billion. Cut £Billion for Longannet CCS. Cut £1Billion CCS project for Peterhead. £Millions had already been spent on it.
Starmer another useless incompetent. Labour spent £Trillion on illegal wars. Devastating the Middle East for Oil. Now they want to cut Oil & Gas production. Imports would increase. Fracked US Gas is imported into Grangemouth.
Greenham Common missiles base was shut down in 1992. 40 minutes from London.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I note this morning on the BBC/Scotland webpages, David Wallet-Lockjaw has been given space https://archive.ph/iGWZb to mould what will be discussed at tomorrow’s “Convention on Independence” in Dundee.
LikeLike
Sir Starmer considering giving rewards for war criminals. Starmer wants to lose the GE. Labour does not want the poison chalice. Westminster poor, bad dangerous policies. They need thrown out in Scotland. A higher turnout.
LikeLike
Labour choosing the Nuclear Option to win votes ? Whose ?
Was it a coincidence ( No ! ) that during PMQs this week several planted questions from the Tories were on Nuclear and how great it was for ”the country” and ”the economy” !
Justification has to continue to be put forward for this vast waste on money ( not for the nuclear lobby- rubbing their hands with glee ! ) ) at a time of economic crisis .
LikeLike