Nuclear Energy will Give Scotland Stability in an Uncertain World

Anas Sarwar has today vowed that a Scottish Labour government will end the SNP’s ideological and anti-science block on new nuclear power and stop holding Scotland back on jobs, investment and energy security.

Mr Sarwar will say Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government and that a Scottish Labour government would fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

Scottish Labour said that as households continue to worry about high bills and international instability, Scotland cannot afford to turn its back on a major source of clean, secure power. 

Mr Sarwar will say John Swinney is refusing to act even as the UK moves ahead with major nuclear investment – leaving Scotland’s energy supply and energy bills more vulnerable to tyrants like Putin and foreign conflict. 

He will say that tweeting about global conflict isn’t enough, and governments must take steps to protect their citizens in an uncertain world. 

It comes after warnings from the Nuclear Industry Association that slammed the SNP’s stance for costing Scotland around 5,000 high-quality jobs.  

A Scottish Labour government would end the ban, and begin the process of securing sites for next generation nuclear power from day one of a newly elected government. 

Scottish Labour said nuclear can work alongside renewables to deliver cleaner power, stronger energy security and more skilled jobs, and that lifting the block on new nuclear would help Scotland compete for investment instead of watching it go elsewhere. 

Commenting, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “In an uncertain world we need leaders who’ll deliver on the security for Scotland, not student politicians leaving Scots vulnerable to tyrants abroad. 

“Because the truth is John Swinney would rather tweet his outrage at chaos abroad than take simple steps to protect Scots from the cost of it. 

“The SNP have chosen misinformation and scaremongering on nuclear power – leaving Scotland with less energy security, higher bills and fewer jobs. 

“Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government.

“The global race for clean power, jobs and investment is on, and once again Scotland is being held back by SNP ideology.

“That is not good enough.

“I’m standing to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

“That means ending the SNP’s ideological block on nuclear power, backing Scottish jobs, strengthening our energy security and making sure we have the reliable energy supply to bring down bills over the long term.

“On May 7, vote Scottish Labour on both votes for the change Scotland needs.”