The former Labour leader of Aberdeen City Council has resigned from the party over its stance on the North Sea oil and gas industry, hitting out at Sir Keir Starmer in the process.
Barney Crockett claimed that Margaret Thatcher “never delivered a more brutal putdown of an industry” than that delivered by the Labour leader in Edinburgh earlier this week.
In his speech, Sir Keir confirmed that Labour would refuse to grant licences for the exploration of new North Sea oil and gas fields if it wins the next general election.
The move triggered a backlash from businesses, who warned that the speed of the planned transition away from fossil fuels could not be achieved without severe job losses.
However, environmental groups said the policy did not go far enough, as Labour will not revoke the licences of any new oil and gas fields granted between now and the election.
Mr Crockett, who served as Aberdeen City Council leader between 2012 and 2014, said he could no longer remain a member of the party as a result of the decision.
In what he described as the “final straw”, the Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone councillor said: “I have been left stunned and bemused by the events of the last few weeks.
“The Labour leadership has made crucial decisions about the future of the UK, decisions focused on this area, without contacting anyone from this area or from the local Labour party.”
He added: “Margaret Thatcher never delivered a more brutal putdown of an industry than that delivered by Keir Starmer in Edinburgh.”
Mr Crockett said he had not taken the decision to quit Labour “lightly”.
“However, I felt I could not in all conscience say what I believe about the wider situation whilst remaining in the group. The area needs to fight with vigour to have some control of its own destiny,” he added.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Douglas Lumsden said the resignation was a “devastating verdict” of Sir Keir’s “reckless and economically illiterate plans to decimate the North Sea oil and gas industry”.
He added: “It beggars belief that the UK Labour leader has pressed ahead with his plans that would throw tens of thousands of North East workers under a bus.
“That sums up why Keir Starmer was in hiding earlier this week and outlined his plans to betray the North East in Edinburgh rather than Aberdeen.”
In response to Mr Crockett’s resignation, Scottish Labour’s net zero spokeswoman Sarah Boyack said: “Oil and gas will continue to play a vital part in the UK’s energy industry for decades to come.
“Labour’s transformational energy plans will make Scotland a world-leader in clean energy and will deliver jobs and prosperity to Scotland – including the North East.”
