'Remain committed to ensuring some important practical tests are met'

MP for Ellesmere Port

A GOOD deal of political attention recently has been focussed on what has been happening north of the border. Members of the dominant Scottish National Party have been through the upheaval of an election to choose a new leader following the surprise – for most people at least – decision of Nicola Sturgeon to resign as SNP leader and First Minister. What followed was some particularly acrimonious infighting between the three SNP Members who put themselves forward to be Ms Sturgeon’s successor during which they hurled insults at each other and, in so doing, exposed policy weaknesses which were the equivalent of free ammunition for the opposition parties at the Scottish Parliament. Humza Yousaf, the former Health Minister in Scotland has now been installed as new First Minster after his narrow 52:48 per cent victory over Kate Forbes and his new cabinet is now in place.

However, there is now considerable speculation that the Scottish Labour Party – after years in the doldrums – may now be in a position to make fresh political inroads in both Scottish Parliament elections and at the next UK General Election, given the relative popularity of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Whilst I in no way subscribe to Nicola Sturgeon’s main political raison d’etre – independence for Scotland – it is not in dispute that she was a force to be reckoned with and comparisons with her will no doubt act as a formidable challenge for Humza Yousaf, particularly after challenger Kate Forbes lobbed stinging ‘acceptance of mediocrity’ allegations at him in a televised election hustings in relation to his record during the time he was a minister in the Scottish Parliament. With 57 seats expected to be available at the next election in Scotland, the fact that the vast majority of those are currently held by the SNP means that a dip in their popularity could prove crucial in deciding who holds power in Westminster.

Back much closer to home now and to what has been widely described as a U-turn over the Hydrogen Village proposal for 2,000 homes in Ellesmere Port. As many readers will know, the Government and Cadent proposed a trial to use hydrogen for heating and cooking in some homes in Whitby but after much anxiety and stress for householders who do not want to be part of the trial, Cadent have announced that those who do not wish to take part will now be able to stay on natural gas. This is how the trial should have been presented to residents in the first place and indeed was what I had initially understood the proposal to mean. I remain committed to ensuring some important practical tests are met based on residents’ views relating to, for example, the need for a public vote (which is still needed despite this news); an energy price guarantee; a Health and Safety Executive approved safety framework; the need to use green hydrogen; and for local people to be employed in any new jobs that become available. I have also asked the Environmental Audit Select Committee to look into how this proposal has been dealt with to date as I believe many mistakes have been made that should not be repeated.