Nigel Farage’s return to frontline politics is raising deep concerns across the Highlands and the North East, where communities depend on a balanced and thriving energy sector.
Ahead of the Reform UK leader’s visit to Aberdeen, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has warned that Farage’s plans would crush vital energy jobs and put Scotland’s future prosperity at risk.
Farage has vowed to scrap funding for carbon capture projects, including the landmark Acorn Project in Aberdeenshire, describing such investment as an “ideological gamble.”
The Acorn Project is central to Scotland’s efforts to cut industrial emissions and offers the only viable solution for CO₂ transport and storage in the country.
Without it, key sectors such as energy, chemicals, and manufacturing face soaring costs and a devastating risk of job losses.
In a heartfelt warning, Flynn said Farage’s approach is as dangerous as the most extreme activists who would shut the oil and gas industry overnight.
“There is a clear path we can take,” Flynn said.
“One that protects today’s oil and gas jobs while building the net zero jobs of tomorrow, securing skills and investment for generations.”
Farage’s refusal to back Acorn would starve the region of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in investment.
It would also threaten future offshore wind projects that are set to drive economic growth along Scotland’s coast.
“This is short-sighted stupidity from the man who gave us Brexit,” Flynn added.
“We cannot let him do to Aberdeen and the Highlands what he has done to the UK economy.”
The fight for Scotland’s future stretches well beyond energy.
As voters prepare to head to the polls this week, SNP leader John Swinney has urged Scots to unite behind the SNP and reject Farage’s divisive brand of politics.
“Be in no doubt,” Swinney said.
“Nigel Farage does not care about Scotland.
“He threatens our values and our communities, and only the SNP can stop him.”
While Farage sows division, Swinney said the SNP is delivering for the next generation.
The SNP government has made eradicating child poverty its top priority.
It has expanded free childcare, scrapped peak rail fares, protected free tuition, and ensured free prescriptions and bus travel for over two million people.
Flagship policies like the Scottish Child Payment, worth £26.70 a week per child, and the Baby Box scheme are making a real difference for families across Scotland.
Katy Loudon, SNP candidate in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said voters are seeing through the empty rhetoric of Farage and Labour’s failure to stand up for Scottish families.
“This Thursday,” Loudon said, “we have the chance to reject Farage’s politics and back an SNP team that always puts Scotland first.”
As the nation faces this crucial moment, the message is clear.
A vote for the SNP is a vote for Scotland’s future, its communities, and its values.
