Here, Michelle Thomson, the SNP MSP for Falkirk East – which includes Grangemouth, writes on the Labour Government’s differing approaches. (Link to original article in the National)

LIKE many, I was alarmed to hear of the potential closure of Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Lincolnshire at the end of last month. On June 30, Prax Group, the owners of the refinery, announced they were going into administration, and therefore the future of the site was at risk.  

The very same day, the UK Government sprang into action. Energy Minister Michael Shanks gave a statement to the House of Commons confirming the Labour Government is funding the continued operation of the refinery, adding: “The Government will ensure supplies are maintained, protect our energy security, and do everything we can to support workers.” Now, I welcome this, and any action to save jobs is commendable. All options should be considered to keep Lindsey operating.  

But as the constituency MSP for Grangemouth, I cannot help but think – while the UK Government sprang into action for the Lindsey refinery the day the news broke, where was that sense of urgency and action for Grangemouth?  

Yes, the circumstances are different – but over a period of months, there was nothing even close to what took place for Lindsey in a day – no urgent statement, and little to no meaningful Government intervention. This isn’t the first time either. Many Scots were quite rightly astounded that the UK Government very quickly spent billions to save British Steel in Scunthorpe but came nowhere close for Grangemouth. It’s worth repeating that Scotland generates well over 90% of the UK’s crude oil in any given year – but now has no capacity to refine it.  

It’s also worth repeating that Labour promised to save Grangemouth before the election and failed. Indeed, the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland said: “We would step in to save the jobs at the refinery.” This is the second refinery to face closure on Labour’s watch, with thousands of related jobs being lost elsewhere in the supply chain. 

It would appear that, when it comes to industry elsewhere in the UK, Westminster can immediately pull out all the stops – but when it’s in Scotland, the UK Government simply isn’t interested. Some may argue that these issues are for the Scottish Government to respond to. This is correct – but any response must include the power to take financial action in the form of significant borrowing powers. These are powers that the Scottish Government lacks. 

The truth is, Grangemouth is just as important to Scotland’s industrial output as Lindsey is to England’s. 

It’s no wonder that a growing number in Scotland quite rightly feel that Scotland is an afterthought to this – or any – UK government.  

It begs the question: if the UK Government can immediately step in to save major industrial sites in England – on more than one occasion – then why not in Scotland? My view is, as it always has been, that the only way to ensure Scotland’s massive natural wealth is utilised for the benefit of Scotland’s people is with independence for Scotland.