Kemi Badenoch calls for Windfall Tax on North Sea oil and gas to be scrapped as she tries to counter Reform surge in Scotland
Kemi Badenoch called for the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas to be scrapped today as she tried to boost the Tories in Scotland.
The Conservative leader vowed to 'stand up' for the industry - saying it might not exist in a few years unless the levy is removed.
The intervention came as Ms Badenoch addressed the Scottish Tories' conference in Edinburgh - urging them to counter Reform's surge.
The Windfall Tax on profits was originally introduced by the Conservatives amid soaring prices.
But Ms Badenoch said it now needs to go. 'Frankly if it is allowed to remain in place until 2030, as is Labour's current plan, there will be no industry left to tax,' she said.
'Thousands will have been made unemployed and all the while we import more gas from overseas – from the very same basin in which we are banned from drilling.'
She said the Tories would also scrap the ban on new licences for oil and gas developments, implemented as part of Ed Miliband's Net Zero drive.
'We will champion our own industry,' Mrs Badenoch told supporters.
'We will let this great British, great Scottish industry thrive, grow and create jobs – ensuring our energy security for generations to come and making Scotland richer in the process.'
Hitting out at Reform – which has boasted of hitting 11,000 members in Scotland – she said Nigel Farage did not view the union between Scotland and England as 'that important'.
In contrast, Mrs Badenoch stressed the Conservatives will 'always be proud' of the union.
'Our party will always be ready to protect Scotland's place in the United Kingdom,' she added.
She claimed for Labour and Sir Keir Starmer, belief in the union is 'negotiable', like 'every so-called promise' the Prime Minister makes.
Mrs Badenoch said: 'We know that when it really matters, like on gender or free speech or taxes, Labour will fold and vote with the SNP.'
She went on to say: 'In April this year, Nigel Farage said he would be fine with the SNP winning another five years in power.
'He's fine with another five years of higher bills, longer waiting lists, declining school standards, gender madness, and ultimately, independence.'
Mrs Badenoch said: 'Reform will vote to let the SNP in, Conservatives will only ever vote to get the nationalists out.'
Her speech came just over a week after a Holyrood by-election in which the Tories came fourth, well behind Reform in third.
Meanwhile an opinion poll has suggested Mr Farage's party could come second in next May's Holyrood election.
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