SCOTTISH voters have “heard it all before”, the SNP have said, as Andy Burnham promises to put Scotland at the heart of his plans for government.
The incoming prime minister said Scotland would be “central” to his plan to change politics and give “people real hope for the future again”.
Keir Starmer made the same commitment in the Daily Record ahead of the 2024 General Election.
The SNP pointed out that under Labour and Starmer, the UK Government closed Grangemouth oil refinery, “destroyed thousands of Scottish energy jobs, blocked devolution and disrespected Scotland's right to choose our own future with independence”.
It comes as the Scottish Greens challenged Burnham to make clear he will not support any new oil and gas licences in the North Sea.
In the past week, reports have suggested that the incoming prime minister is set to sign off on drilling in the North Sea, despite Labour’s manifesto not to grant any further licences.
US president Donald Trump celebrated the reports on his social media site Truth Social, claiming that people in Aberdeen will be “dancing in the streets”.
Burnham has not confirmed any of the reports, but is expected to make several policy announcements on Monday after he officially becomes prime minister.
The SNP have also called on Burnham to deliver an emergency cost of living budget to reverse the damage made by the Labour Government.
Writing in the Sunday Mail, Burnham said: “I’m determined to make sure I use every lever I can to make life better.
“People who know a place should have real power in shaping their future.
“From Aberdeen to Stornoway, from Dumfries, to Orkney and Shetland, my mission is clear. Restoring hope and driving growth through a clear, confident, authentically Labour direction. The future we’ll pave together will be rooted in fairness and will ensure local people are in the driving seat.”
In 2024, outgoing Prime Minister Starmer made a similar claim ahead of the General Election.
“A Labour government will take Scotland in a different direction and give people hope for the future,” he said.
“Labour will stop families paying over the odds for energy. Great British Energy, our new publicly owned energy company, will invest in homegrown clean energy to boost energy independence and cut bills for good.
“When I say let’s get Britain’s future back, we say it with one voice. Scotland is at the beating heart of that mission.”
Energy bills have repeatedly risen under the Labour Government. Ofgem raised the energy price cap by 13% from July 1 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
SNP economy spokesperson Kirsty Blackman told The National that Burnham will be “judged on his actions, not more warm words”.
"Voters in Scotland have heard it all before,” she said. “Keir Starmer promised Scotland would be 'at the beating heart' of the Labour government but then closed Grangemouth, destroyed thousands of Scottish energy jobs, blocked devolution and disrespected Scotland's right to choose our own future with independence.
"The Labour Party promised voters it would deliver 'change' and 'hope' at the election two years ago but under the Labour Government, the cost of living has soared, unemployment has risen to a five-year high, the UK economy has been downgraded, public finances have deteriorated and families in Scotland have been left footing the bill for Labour Party failure.”
Blackman said the SNP are ready to work with Burnham to help families with the cost of living, but insisted there must be a “step change” in the Labour government’s attitude to Scotland.
“That must include respecting the Scottish Parliament, strengthening its powers and accepting Scotland's democratic right to determine our own future with independence,” she added.
It comes as Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell said Burnham will have a “change of emphasis” on North Sea oil and gas.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledged to honour existing oil and gas exploration licences but not issue any new ones. The debate has largely centred around two oil and gas fields – Rosebank and Jackdaw – off the north-eastern coast of Scotland.
Licences for both sites were approved under the previous Conservative government, but were overturned last year by a Scottish court, which ruled the government would have to consider the environmental impact before agreeing that new drilling could go ahead.
Climate campaigners have repeatedly pointed out that more drilling in the North Sea will not lead to energy security for the UK.
Ed Miliband, currently the Energy Secretary but tipped for a top role in Burnham’s government, previously described the Rosebank licence as “climate vandalism”.
“After weeks of speculation and confusion, it’s time for Andy Burnham to rule out any new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea and halt the climate-wrecking Rosebank development,” Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said.
“Anything less would fly in the face of the science and the manifesto Labour was elected on while doing nothing to lower bills or protect us from global price hikes.
“There can be no more mixed messages or attempts to have it both ways when it comes to the climate crisis.
“The next few years are critical for the future of our planet. From wildfires and heatwaves to flooding, we can all see the problem.
“We need a Prime Minister who will invest in our communities, deliver a genuinely just transition and tackle the climate crisis by making the super-wealthy pay their fair share.”
The Guardian previously reported that hundreds of new North Sea licences granted by the Tories during their 14 days in power produced just 36 days of gas.
Tessa Khan, executive director at Uplift, said that Burnham approving new licences would suggest he is “not taking the interests of ordinary people very seriously” and instead prioritising the interests of “very profitable oil and gas companies”.
It comes as Burnham will pledge to restore confidence in government and give people “breathing room” when he becomes prime minister on Monday.
The new Labour leader will set out his domestic priorities in his first speech from Downing Street after visiting the Palace to “kiss hands” with the King and formally take over from Starmer.
