SNP plans to use Scotland’s Energy for the benefit of Scotland’s people

Martyn Day is backing the SNP’s It’s Scotland’s Energy campaign — a clear plan for how an independent Scotland can finally use our vast natural resources in the interests of the people who actually live here.

The First Minister’s paper, published at the start of December, sets out three key steps:

• Cutting household electricity bills in Scotland by over one-third through creating a distinct Scottish electricity market.
• Giving communities the right to own up to 20% of local renewable projects, securing a real financial return from energy produced in their own area.
• Delivering lower electricity costs for Scottish businesses — a change that could reshape and strengthen our entire economy.

This campaign deliberately echoes the “It’s Scotland’s Oil” message of the 1970s. Back then, Scotland was shown the scale of what we could achieve if we controlled our own resources. Westminster made sure we didn’t. We cannot afford to let that happen again.

“I’m proud to say so plainly: Scotland has won the energy lottery twice — first with oil, and now with an enormous renewable bounty. Other countries, such as Norway, took the long-term view. They invested their resources wisely, built the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, and are now using it to transition to renewables. Meanwhile, Scotland’s wealth was channelled elsewhere.” Said Martyn Day

The most certain thing about political power is this: if you don’t use the power you have to advance your own interests, someone else will use it to advance theirs. Westminster has had far too long shaping Scotland’s energy future to suit its own priorities, not ours.

Using Scotland’s energy for Scotland’s people will allow us to cut bills, support businesses, and build a stronger economy — but we can only deliver the full benefits with the powers of independence.

That’s why Martyn Day is asking people to back the SNP next year and put Scotland’s energy firmly in Scotland’s hands.