How Big Oil lobbied Big Ed, Wee Michael and then said ‘Gillian Martin? Who?’

Before going any further, what is that image doing there in The National?

How are decisions made about oil and gas exploration, development and extraction in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland?

Decisions on oil and gas exploration, development, and extraction in the North Sea off Scotland are made primarily under UK (reserved) powers, through a system of licences and activity-specific consents regulated by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), with environmental oversight by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) and key agreements from the Secretary of State. Offshore licensing is not devolved to the Scottish Government (unlike onshore licensing, which was transferred under the Scotland Act 2016). https://www.gov.scot/policies/oil-and-gas/

Does the Scottish Government have any real say in decisions?

In short, for the core decisions on whether a company can explore, develop, or extract oil and gas offshore, the Scottish Government has no statutory veto, consent power, or direct regulatory role. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-36532

Has the Scottish Government ever had meaningful impact on decisions?

In summary, the Scottish Government’s meaningful, direct impact has been strongest on onshore licensing and adjacent policy areas such as marine planning and the just transition. On the core reserved decisions about whether companies can explore, develop, or extract oil and gas in the North Sea, its influence has been political and symbolic rather than decisive or statutory.

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3 thoughts on “How Big Oil lobbied Big Ed, Wee Michael and then said ‘Gillian Martin? Who?’”

  1. Apparently according to the other media within the UK State the pressure is mostly on John Swinney in respect to Rosebank oil field being given the green light.

    That’s because the UK political and UK media establishment need John Swinney to ok this new oil field , so that when the devastating impact of climate change keeps happening, then the FM and the Scottish government (SNP) can be those who are blamed and so targeted by those who will then hold protests outside the parliament at Holyrood .

    Meanwhile Labour, Tory and Reform UK MSP’s can all get off seemingly ‘Scot’ free , when we all know that they and their respective HQ’s are the ones applying pressure upon the FM on this matter , they are also those who still want fossil fuels to continue as an energy source within the UK State.

    Liz S

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    1. Quite !
      It’s a case of a ”patsy” getting the blame for those pulling the strings .
      Westminster cannot be blamed if the blame can be shifted to the SNP Government – and the compliant UK media will make sure of that ! ( Is The National aware of this ? )
      Heads they win tails we lose !

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      1. Indeed James mills.

        Then when the protests outside Holyrood parliament happen , then the same media will report upon them, while also conveniently not over emphasising the fact that energy policies are all a UK reserved matter and so then are the responsibility of the UK government.

        BBC website headline 29 October after FM’s Q’s :

        “John Swinney bats away ‘yes or no’ answer on Rosebank oil field future” .

        So what about Andy Burnham the UK PM giving a “yes or no” answer to Rosebank oil field’s future, as it is he and his Labour UK government who will get to decide upon that , yes ?

        Surely it is the UK government who have been swithering on this and so then refusing to say what they will do ?

        So that being the case it is actually Burnham and his UK government “batting away” from giving a “yes or no” answer to Rosebank oil field ?

        They, the UK government, did the same with the Jackdaw Gas field.

        As in delayed the announcement on it.

        Why ?

        If it is best for the UK State then why the delay in their response ?

        Why indeed.

        Another BBC website disingenuous headline in October 17 :

        “Is the Scottish government softening on oil and gas”

        What does it actually really matter to the UK government as to what the Scottish government’s position is on this ?

        If they as a Scottish government are against it then their opposition to it will be ignored by the UK government , but also simultaneously they will be condemned by both the UK media and UK politicians for being against it.

        Let’s be honest here Rosebank Oil field is surely a miracle when one considers that the BBC on the 16 May 2014 once posted this online:

        “UK’s oil, coal and gas will run out in 5 years, researchers warn”.

        Now that same BBC fail to cast up that previous prediction as being inaccurate or rather just plain wrong , of course they do !

        I think The National needs to rethink and so review who it is who has the real power to influence and so sway decisions within the UK upon matters such as this – the big clue being that it is not , nay never, the Scottish government who holds that power.

        As if, Ha Ha

        Liz S

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