AN SNP MP slammed Scottish Labour for failing to take part in a debate on Scotland’s energy on Tuesday.
Dave Doogan, the SNP MP for Angus and Perthshire Glens, spoke out about the issue in the Commons as members met to discuss the Finance Bill.
Much of the debate included discussions on energy security, as well as issues such as a windfall tax and the impact of GB Energy on Scotland.
💥 ZERO - that's how many Scottish Labour MPs turned up for this afternoon's vital debate on Scotland's Energy Future. 👎 Totally taking voters for granted - classic Labour. pic.twitter.com/U0UIfRqwuZ
— Dave Doogan MP (@DaveDooganSNP) December 10, 2024
Speaking in the Commons, Tory MP for Gordon and Buchan Harriet Cross was discussing the “importance of the oil and gas sector,” pointing out that “82% of direct jobs in the oil and gas sector are located in Scotland”.
At this point, Doogan asked: “Is she (Cross) disappointed, as I am, that not a single Scottish Labour MP has turned up to take part in this vital debate?”
Cross replied saying that it was “extraordinary that they are not here to stand up for their main industry” and that it “shows how much they value or care about jobs across Scotland”.
However, Labour MP for Earley and Woodley Yuan Yang hit back at Doogan, saying: “I will forgive, for a moment, the honourable Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens for perhaps not recognising my honourable friend the Member for Hamilton and Clyde (Imogen Walker).
“I know that an awful lot of new Scottish members were elected in the last General Election, and it must be difficult to learn all their faces.
“I ask the honourable member to reflect on the possible reasons for the election of a record number of Scottish Labour members while he sets about learning their names and faces.”
Walker was indeed in the Commons at the time, although Doogan was quick to point out that she was acting in her role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rachel Reeves and was therefore not directly taking part.
She is not noted as having made a contribution in the Commons at all during the debate on the official transcription on the House of Commons website.
Doogan said: “The honourable Member for Earley and Woodley (Yang) called me out regarding my perfectly legitimate comment that there was not a single Scottish Labour MP in here.
“I chose my words carefully, taking part in this debate. I appreciate there is a Labour Member here who, unless I am very much mistaken, is fulfilling the role of a Parliamentary Private Secretary and therefore will not be taking part in this debate.
“I ask your guidance, Madam Chair, on whether it is legitimate to call somebody out in a debate and not give them an opportunity to respond.
“I tried to intervene on the honourable Member for Earley and Woodley to correct the record, but she refused to give way.
“How can we correct the record to underline the fact that there is not a single Scottish Labour MP in here taking part in this debate on Scotland’s energy?”
Doogan also took to Twitter/X on Tuesday afternoon to share a clip from the debate, along with the caption: “ZERO – that’s how many Scottish Labour MPs turned up for this afternoon’s vital debate on Scotland’s energy future.
“Totally taking voters for granted – classic Labour.”
