Grangemouth MP Criticises Labour Government’s Industrial Strategy as Merely Words
In an exclusive report, the Member of Parliament for Grangemouth, Brian Leishman, has expressed strong criticism towards the Labour Government’s industrial strategy. He labelled it as “nothing more than words on a bit of paper” if the refinery in Grangemouth closes. Leishman accused the UK Government of passively accepting claims made by Petroineos, the owners of the refinery, that it is not profitable. He also cautioned that Labour has failed to “learn lessons from the past,” which could harm the party’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 Holyrood election.
Petroineos recently declared its intention to halt refining operations at the Grangemouth site in spring 2025 and transform it into an import terminal for fuels. Despite Leishman’s previous advocacy for nationalising the refinery, this proposition was dismissed by Scotland Secretary Ian Murray, who argued that it would not be financially viable for taxpayers to support a loss-making enterprise.
Leishman shared insights from a recent meeting with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and energy minister Michael Shanks, where he felt that the government was resolute in its decision regarding Grangemouth. He highlighted that the UK Government’s green paper on industrial strategy aligns closely with Grangemouth’s needs in terms of infrastructure investment and transitioning to clean renewable energies. However, he emphasised that these initiatives would be futile if the government does not intervene to save the refinery.
The MP raised concerns about the government’s passive response to Petroineos’ claims of financial struggles without conducting a thorough examination of the refinery’s financial requirements for profitability. Leishman warned of the refinery workers facing a fate similar to that of the miners decades ago if decisive action is not taken to save their jobs.
Leishman also suggested that the potential closure of the refinery could impact Scottish Labour’s electoral chances in 2026, criticising the non-critical stance of the UK Government towards the Scottish Government. He stressed the need for the government to consider acquiring a transitional stake in the refinery to support the affected workers and prevent further economic losses.
In response to the situation, a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson acknowledged the regrettable decision by Petroineos to close the refinery and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with affected workers, trade unions, and the local community to explore alternative job opportunities and pursue a clean energy future for Grangemouth.
As the fate of the Grangemouth refinery hangs in the balance, Leishman continues to advocate for government intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of the workers and prevent the closure of this vital industrial facility.
(Source: Daily Record)
Please note that this news article is based on exclusive statements from Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman and government officials regarding the industrial strategy and the future of the Grangemouth refinery.