Politics: Offshore bill provides confidence and certainty

Last week in Parliament, what should have been a full and frank debate about the situation in Gaza, instead became a spectacle about parliamentary procedure and the breaking of long-standing conventions.

In what was allocated as an "Opposition Day", for a debate on a motion by the SNP, the main opposition party Labour also tabled an amendment which went completely against standard Parliament procedures and conventions.

Had the SNP been able to move their motion to a vote, I would have voted against it, but I absolutely supported their right to present it.

Due to the loss of confidence by the UK Government that their own amendment would be voted upon, it was withdrawn.

I would have supported the UK Government's amendment to the SNP’s motion.

This does not mean I am against a ceasefire in principle.

I support Israel's right to defend itself – in compliance with international law – from attacks by Hamas and I join the UK Government in urging negotiations to agree an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out, with the aim of progressing towards a permanent sustainable ceasefire.

Achieving this will require all hostages to be released, the formation of a new Palestinian Government and for Hamas to be unable to launch further attacks and to be no longer in charge in Gaza.

This all needs to be done in the spirit of negotiating a credible pathway to a two-state solution which delivers peace, security and justice for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Earlier in the week, I was delighted to take part in the third reading of the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill.

I welcome the confidence and certainty that this Bill provides to an industry that is not only crucial to workers here in the north-east but, utilising the talent that exists here, will play a critical role in delivering the energy transition itself.

It wasn’t that long ago that Labour abandoned their flagship £28 billion a year green funding strategy – something that I and my colleagues in Government had always pointed out was undeliverable without a drastic increase in taxes.

More recently, they caused outrage in the oil and gas industry when they announced that not only would the keep the Energy Profits Levy (windfall tax), they would increase the overall tax to 78 per cent, extend it to 2029 and remove the investment allowance.

During the debate it was also confirmed by Labour that they would stop all new oil and gas exploration in the UK.

The SNP’s hypocritical and opportunistic criticism of this policy from Labour would be only slightly more credible if it weren’t so diametrically opposed to their own stated “presumption against licences for new oil and gas licences”, not to mention the ideological position of their Scottish Greens coalition partners.

Away from these national debates, closer to home in Banff and Buchan, there was cause for celebration and optimism.

Our local champions in the Scottish Café and Bakery Awards showcased the resilience, creativity and community spirit that define our region.

With 17 awards going to north-east establishments, we've proven once again that our local businesses are among the best in Scotland.

The accolades received by Traffords Cafe in Turriff and nearby Delgatie Castle, as well as Nooks and Crannies in Fraserburgh are a testament to the hard work and dedication of those in the hospitality sector.

Well done to all.