Scottish Labour’s new leader backs Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gasfields

Scottish Labour’s freshly elected leader, Michael Marra, has signalled a stark departure from the party’s recent reticence on energy policy by openly backing the development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gasfields in the North Sea. In a statement made shortly after his election, Marra urged the British prime minister to endorse both projects, arguing that a “more rational” approach to energy policy is essential for the Scottish economy and for securing jobs in his North‑East constituency. The endorsement arrives at a moment when the two licences sit outside the ban on new drilling permits, having been lodged before the current Labour government took office, and as ministers are expected to give the Jackdaw field the green light in the coming weeks.

Marra’s Energy Pitch: Pragmatism Over Ideology

Marra framed his support for Rosebank and Jackdaw as a pragmatic response to the “biggest issue” for voters in his region, linking the projects directly to employment prospects. By positioning the fields as a matter of economic necessity rather than environmental controversy, he seeks to re‑anchor Scottish Labour’s narrative in tangible, constituency‑level concerns. The leader’s call for a “more rational policy position that delivers for the Scottish economy and Scottish jobs” underscores a willingness to diverge from the party’s traditionally greener stance, at least where existing licences are concerned.

His appeal to the British prime minister, rather than the devolved Scottish administration, also highlights the cross‑border nature of North Sea energy policy. While the Scottish government can influence licensing, the ultimate authority rests with Westminster, meaning Marra’s lobbying will have to navigate the broader UK energy strategy, especially as the government balances climate commitments with energy security.

Political Context: A Party in Search of Relevance

The leadership contest that propelled Marri to the helm was decided by a near two‑thirds majority of party members, with 4,266 votes for Marra against 2,485 for his rival, Joe Fagan. Turnout stood at 49.43% of the membership, reflecting a moderate level of engagement among a party that has struggled to translate its Westminster presence – 37 Labour MPs from Scotland – into electoral success at Holyrood.

Labour’s fortunes in the Scottish Parliament have been in steady decline since devolution in 1999, culminating in the May 2024 election where the party secured a historic low of 17 seats. That tally left Labour on par with the Reform Party, marginally ahead of the Greens, and well behind the SNP, which retained power. The loss of seats at every Holyrood election underscores a deep‑seated challenge: reconnecting with an electorate that has increasingly associated Labour with Westminster rather than with Scottish concerns.

Leadership Style: Reconnecting with Voters

Marri’s acceptance speech at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth museum was suffused with a call to “reconnect with Scottish voters” after what he described as a “bruising defeat” in the recent elections. He warned that the SNP’s failure to secure an outright majority in May signalled a lack of appetite for a second independence referendum, positioning Labour as a voice for a “stronger Scotland” within a changing United Kingdom.

He also sought to distance the party from what he termed the “poison, racism and bigotry of Reform,” attempting to re‑establish Labour’s moral high ground. By invoking values and a need for a broader coalition centred on “the needs of the country,” Marri signalled an intention to move beyond the party’s recent middle‑class focus, a point echoed by academics who note Labour’s recent over‑reliance on professional voters at the expense of its traditional working‑class base.

Academic Diagnosis: The Three‑Fold Crisis

Dr Eric Shaw, a research fellow at the University of Stirling, identified three interlocking challenges for Scottish Labour: the persistent salience of independence, the party’s perceived alignment with Westminster Labour, and the erosion of its historic working‑class base. Shaw’s analysis suggests that any revival must address these structural issues, not merely tweak policy messages. The party’s recent performance – stronger among the professional middle class than among working‑class voters – underscores a disconnect that Marri will need to bridge if he hopes to broaden his electoral coalition.

Dr Ewan Gibbs of the University of Glasgow added a historical perspective, noting that Scotland has endured “20 years of failure” in public service delivery, education, and income inequality. Gibbs warned that Labour currently lacks the organisational capacity to mobilise the widespread dissatisfaction that could translate into votes. His assessment implies that policy wins, such as securing oil licences, will be insufficient without a concerted effort to organise at the grassroots level.

Strategic Risks: Balancing Energy and Environment

Backing Rosebank and Jackdaw places Marri at the centre of a contentious debate between economic development and environmental stewardship. While the licences are exempt from the new drilling ban, the projects have attracted criticism for their potential carbon emissions and impact on marine ecosystems. By championing these fields, Marri risks alienating climate‑concerned voters and green activists, a demographic that has grown increasingly influential in Scottish politics.

Nevertheless, Marri’s argument hinges on the premise that the projects will deliver tangible jobs and revenue to a region that has felt left behind by the nation’s broader energy transition. If the government does approve Jackdaw in the coming weeks, Labour could claim a concrete win for its “rational” policy stance, potentially bolstering its credibility on economic issues. The gamble, however, will be judged against the backdrop of Scotland’s ambitious net‑zero targets and the public’s sensitivity to fossil‑fuel expansion.

Looking Ahead: What Success Might Look Like

Marri’s immediate challenge is to translate his energy endorsement into a broader narrative of economic renewal that resonates beyond his North‑East constituency. By positioning the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields as a bridge between Scotland’s energy heritage and its future, he hopes to craft a story of pragmatic stewardship that can win over swing voters disillusioned with both the SNP’s dominance and Labour’s perceived middle‑class tilt.

Long‑term, the leader will need to address the structural issues highlighted by Shaw and Gibbs: redefining Labour’s identity separate from Westminster, rebuilding ties with working‑class communities, and presenting a coherent alternative to the SNP’s independence agenda. If he can harness the economic symbolism of the North Sea licences while simultaneously delivering on public‑service reforms and tackling inequality, Marri may begin to reverse the party’s decades‑long decline. Until then, his tenure will be measured against the twin yardsticks of energy policy outcomes and the party’s ability to reconnect with the voters who once made Scottish Labour a dominant force in the nation’s political landscape.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: The Guardian UK; theguardian.com; Global1.News (20 September 2026).

By Erica Thornton, Staff Writer