Swinney: SNP to Demand Energy Control, Push for Independence

0:00European news, powered by AI. This is Europe News today. I'm Cory with the story. John Swinney, Scotland's first minister, says if his SNF party wins the May election, he'll demand control over energy policy from the UK government right away. That means pushing a Section 30 order on day one to hand Holyrood the powers over oil, gas, and renewables in the North Sea. He argues Scotland's massive energy riches should cut local bills, not flow south to Westminster. Scotland sits on some of Europe's biggest energy reserves yet households face sky high costs. Swinney blames decades of UK control for lost jobs, blocked projects, and soaring prices. The S&P's own energy plan stays in draft form after years of delays, blamed on global ups and downs and Westminster confusion. Swinney calls Westminster's failures, a clear sign independence is the only fix, tying it to his push for a second referendum mandate. Scottish Tories head back, saying the pledge hides its nip flops like blocking North Sea

1:02field and nuclear power. Labor blasts them for wasting clean energy chances and breaking job promises. Meanwhile, UK Tory leader Kemi Botanock heads the Aberdeen tomorrow with their get-bwritten drilling push. They want to scrap oil and gas license bands, windfall taxes, and green levies to drop bills by 200 pounds for everyone. S&P candidates fire back that all Westminster parties treat Scotland's resources like a cash grab. This energy clash ramps up as the election nears, with Swinney betting devolved powers or independence talk will sway voters harding from bills and joke fears.