SNP MSP backs Jackdaw Rosebank

Ant Middleton, an SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central and former adviser to Humza Yousaf and John Swinney, publicly broke with his party by calling for the United Kingdom — Government of the United Kingdom to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields. He argued the projects would create thousands of jobs, boost Scotland's economy, and enhance energy security by reducing reliance on imports from the Middle East and Russia. The SNP-led Scotland — Scottish Government has shifted its stance to allow developments that pass climate compatibility tests, but energy decisions remain with the United Kingdom — Government of the United Kingdom. Middleton also signed an open letter from the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, alongside SNP MP Kirsty Blackman and seven United Kingdom — Labour Party MPs, urging timely consent for North Sea developments. His announcement follows the SNP's loss of the Aberdeen South by-election to the United Kingdom — Scottish Conservatives, a defeat attributed by some to the party's position on oil and gas. Scottish Tory energy spokesman Liam Kerr criticized Middleton's move as a desperate attempt to shore up support.