John Swinney faces mounting calls to state firm support for new North Sea drilling following internal SNP debate at its conference about energy policy. Reporting across outlets says the SNP’s position appears split, with some support for domestic oil and gas while other positions move away from Sturgeon-era policy that emphasized restrictions on foreign energy imports.
The Scotsman adds that campaigners and energy figures are urging the SNP to back specific projects rather than taking a more general stance. In particular, outlets point to named North Sea developments such as Rosebank and Jackdaw, with calls for the government to offer “full-throated” backing. Other coverage highlights the political pressure on Swinney to reverse course, describing a potential policy U-turn tied to conference outcomes and the need for clearer confirmation from his administration.
Overall, the story centres on how SNP conference decisions and differing interpretations of energy policy translate into concrete governmental support for new drilling and particular North Sea projects.
