John Swinney Faces Internal Revolt Within SNP Over North Sea Oil and Gas U-Turn

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney faces potential internal revolt from grassroots members following his announcement at First Minister's Questions on Thursday that the party opposes the United Kingdom government's blanket ban on new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences.

Swinney stated that licence awards must be evaluated based on carbon reduction targets and ongoing fuel requirements, completing a reversal of the party's prior stance. The position aligns with a motion passed at the party conference last month supporting the use of remaining oil and gas revenues to fund the transition to a net-zero economy.

Local branch officials warned that the policy shift risks alienating progressive voters, and members have begun discussing resolutions for the National Council to overturn the stance. Simultaneously, the party faced scrutiny from campaigners urging officials not to provide open-ended funding for the Acorn carbon capture project in Aberdeenshire amid shifting Westminster financial commitments, and a separate internal dispute emerged regarding chief executive Callum McCaig's handling of a conference abortion event cancellation.