SNP Minister in another independent Arctic trade policy venture to p*** off Cleverly again

BBC Scotland Business asleep at the wheel

Spotted today by the ‘AI-enhanced’ PolicyMogul but missed by the LowIQ-retarded Scottish media:

Energy Minister Gillian Martin will tell the world’s largest Arctic conference that Scotland can help power its northern neighbours’ journey to net zero.

During meetings at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland, the Minister is expected to highlight Scotland’s expertise in renewable energy and seek to strengthen international partnerships in delivering technologies like green hydrogen and offshore wind.

The Assembly takes place from 19 to 21 October 2023 and will be attended by ministers, diplomats and academics from countries including Sweden, Norway, the US and Canada. Ms Martin will also meet the President of next month’s COP28 UN climate change summit in the United Arab Emirates, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jabar, as well as other senior decision makers.

The Energy Minister said:

“As the most northerly non-Arctic nation, we are ideally placed to connect the European Arctic with central Europe and bridge the North Sea and North Atlantic. We have the resources, skills and ambition to lead from the front in advancing green energy technologies and accelerating decarbonisation across our shared neighbourhood.

“We have a massive potential pipeline of offshore wind projects, which is the equivalent of producing enough electricity annually to power every home in Scotland for 17 years. Scotland is also the most advanced hub in Europe for marine energy and is home to some of the world’s first, largest and most advanced tidal stream deployments.

“We are able to be a leading provider of green energy in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Achieving energy security while tackling climate change requires a mutual endeavour and we are ready to play our part.

“Scotland was the first country to declare a global emergency in 2019 to address the effects of climate change. I look forward to meaningful discussions with the organisers of this year’s UN climate change summit on how we create the momentum necessary for worldwide change.”

Energy Minister on Iceland mission to promote Scotland’s green energy potential – Key updates – PolicyMogul

This is not the first venture by the SNP Government into northern waters. They’ve been annoying the UK Government with their independent foreign trade explorations since Brexit, 7 years ago.

In 2019:

I’ve written before about the more than 200 times that SNP ministers and others have met with possible economic partners to counter Tory Brexit damage. There was no better riposte to the inane ‘get on with the day job’ jibes from the likes of May and Davidson.

In May 2018, I was able to report:

‘More than 200 engagements between Scottish Government ministers and European governments, institutions and organisations have taken place since the start of 2017. The ‘strong desire’ to connect with Scotland and listen to our views signals that the EU continues to see Scotland as an important partner – according to External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop. In just 16 months, Scottish Government ministers have initiated or accepted more than 200 meetings and visits with European partners, which on average means a European engagement has taken place at least three times per week.’

https://news.gov.scot/news/not-the-final-europe-day

Now in 2019, an Arctic Policy Framework is in place to take things further, literally. The document opens with:

Scotland’s northernmost islands are closer to the Arctic Circle than they are to London. Connections between Scotland and the Arctic, however, go much further than geographical proximity. Our communities share deep cultural and social links as well as similar challenges and outlooks. Arctic countries represent important trading partners for Scotland and we have long worked together through European Union (EU) programmes.

Click to access arctic-connections-scotlands-arctic-policy-framework.pdf

The full document is a fascinating read and well worth a look.

17 thoughts on “SNP Minister in another independent Arctic trade policy venture to p*** off Cleverly again”

  3. “but missed by the LowIQ-retarded Scottish media”

    The word ‘MISSED’ is , as an accurate reflection, doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence….but I guess you know that don’t you….LOL

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  5. Exactly what you would expect from a government, internationally cooperative, working to the future and for the populace. I applaud their work. The fact it boils Westminster’s piss is just gives an additional glow.
    If I was a better person I would miss out on the glow, the schadenfreude effect. But I am what I am.

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  6. But all these technologies and explorations are being done by foreign companies none are Scottish , sure Scottish people work for them but Scotland has no control of it , Westminster has already sold it to the highest bidders and taken and kept the money they got for it we have had nothing , same as what happened and is still happening with North Sea oil.
    Yes it’s good and it’s right that the Scottish energy minister is attending these meetings but on whose behalf ?

    She was the manager of an “emergency media response team for oil and gas companies for 10 years” prior to her election as an MSP in 2016. She also ran “her own business in video production and training for the energy sector for over 20 years”.

    Since the last Holyrood election in May 2021, Martin has been lobbied by oil giants on five occasions. These meetings were with BP, Shell and Equinor – the Norwegian state energy company which is seeking to develop the controversial Rosebank oil field north of Shetland.

    She is the MSP for Aberdeen so her local job is to continue to protect Aberdeen oil and other offshore jobs but is she representing Scotland as a whole ? I doubt it given her background with oil companies it’s a comfortable position for oil companies having an ex employee as MSP energy minister.
    We have already seen an MSP jump ship recently i will not be surprised if she does too when the time is right , clearly it’s not now whilst she is energy minister but let’s be honest she is minister for sweet FA given that the Scottish parliament controls absolutely zero of the energy Scotland produces so just who is she representing here ? and for what purpose ?

    Gillian Martin was previously due to be a minister in 2018 but her appointment was cancelled by Nicola Sturgeon’s government after offensive remarks she made about disabled, transgender, black and Jewish people were unearthed.

    The comments were written on a blog before Martin was elected to the Scottish Parliament.

    Humza Yousaf has defended the appointment of Martin as a minister and cited her “fulsome support” of the Gender Recognition Reform bill as evidence of the “journey she has been on” since the comments were made.

    All a Scottish energy minister can do is go to meetings
    It’s the Westminster energy minister that controls Scottish oil and gas and Scottish wind power and wave power

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    1. It’s not even necessarily the case that ‘Scottish people work for them’ in fact as with oil and gas, no doubt many of the workers are not Scottish and those in the top jobs most definitely won’t be either. Interesting re G. Martin’s background. Hmm.
      Scotland is being robbed blind whichever way you look at it, and with renewables and even Scotland’s water, the vultures are circling, waiting to swoop.
      Meanwhile the wind turbines will need to turned off today it’s blawin a hoolie oot there. Stay safe everyone.

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  7. O/T

    “A review by a senior lawyer into the procurement of the delayed Ferguson Marine ferries found no evidence of fraud”…..Hoots Mon light a candle for the BBC here in Scotland……they made also need prayers….

    However on the Scottish News part of the BBC website they state on this that “The BBC said it stood by its journalism and the probe’s narrow remit excluded examination of the central allegations.

    It said the programme had not alleged “criminal fraud” but instead questioned whether the contract was awarded fairly”….

    They then go into explain in the way that ONLY the BBC explain when connected to anything via Scotland….as in OVER explain….as in Blah Blah Blah Blah….and here’s another Blah….but wait…they also include that old favourite in their final paragraph….opinions from some members of some of the opposition parties….as there is never ever any #SNPBAD show via the BBC, that does NOT include or seek an opinion from someone from the opposition…..as in their very much partisan and biased opposing opinions to all that they SNP say and do ……which on a scale of 1-10 in them being objective , fair and honest via their opinions as THE opposition is minus 1 or whatever minus figure you want to name.

    To summarise they , the BBC, are just NOT going to GIVE UP or LET THIS GO…..which pretty much makes you conclude how LITTLE muck they actually DO have to throw at the Scottish government when they insist on making FERRIES into a BBC Scotland soap opera or into a intermittent series…….they , the BBC, are THE British Bulldog in Scotland, who refuse to GIVE up their BONE(s) ….of contention….. which equates to #SNPBAD as their main political output that seemingly dictates pretty much 95 % of their editorial output via all of their forums….if only they adopted such forensic and relentless scrutiny upon much of the absolute S*** (rhymes with PIT) that some other parties have done and still are doing then we may see them, the BBC, as doing their actual jobs as opposed to always ‘doing A job’ on the SNP …….they’ll be bringing out a BBC funded film next on Scottish Ferries at this rate…..in a cinema where YOU are.

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  8. Iceland population less than 1/2 million. Has its own energy.

    Scotland pays too much for parity. Scotland 25% in surplus and nearer the sources should pay less. Scotland pays more pro rata than the rest of the UK. A burden on the whole economy. The energy companies wanted to charge Scotland less. Westminster would not agree. Scotland loses £Billions in fuel and energy revenues. Westminster policies.

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  9. Iceland population less than 1/2 million. Has its own energy.

    Scotland pays too much for parity. Scotland 25% in surplus and nearer the sources should pay less. Scotland pays more pro rata than the rest of the UK. A burden on the whole economy. The energy companies wanted to charge Scotland less. Westminster would not agree. Scotland loses £Billions in fuel and energy revenues. Westminster policies.

    Period poverty, green. All over the shop.

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  10. O/T

    Well Well….did we not predict that Michael Shanks , newly elected MP for Rutherglen H & W, would NOT be one who worked for Scotland but instead would adopt the petty and partisan LABOUR position as it has been reported that “Scotland’s (Hmm) new Labour MP dodged a vote on bringing in a bill to give the Scottish Government powers over employment law”……as did the other useless Scottish (INO) Labour MP adopt the same petty and partisan position i.e. one Ian Murray…..

    He, Shanks, abstained….which is pretty much what constituents in his area should have done rather than give HIM their vote…..alas it seemed some thought that electing another Labour DUD to partner the other Labour DUD Ian Murray is better than electing someone who would actually TRY to do something that would be more positive for Scotland as opposed to a POWER being retained (Reserved) at WM……

    Shanks promoted himself during the election campaign in his constituency as he being ‘His own man’ but like 195 of his Labour colleagues , including their leader Keir Starmer, there was no vote recorded via him or them, as in neither an AYE or a NAW, on what was an SNP generated vote for giving powers over employment laws to the Scottish government……Shanks is a very much ‘toe the party line’ kinda guy it seems….as many on this site and outwith here predicted would be the case……THIS needs noting for next years GE as this is a TEMPLATE for what Scots will get if they choose to elect MORE Labour DUDS as their MP……indeed tis reminiscent of the time (pre 2015) when they had 41 Scottish Labour MP’s ,that included one Anas Sarwar, where their votes at WM were whatever Labour HQ dictated…..and NOT what was best for Scotland or it’s people.

    This Scotland is a warning shot…..as in what to expect if you ‘lend’ your vote to Labour in the next GE…..it is not a first….. as one Ian Murray has been doing this for ages…….it’s just no one in our ‘Scottish’ media has been telling us in the same forceful manner that they adopt against SNP politicians supposed ‘wrongs’……

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