One of my proudest moments at the latest SSP conference was when we voted to oppose fracking. For me it is the death throws of our exploitation of the Earth. For big business such as Ineos who were given a cash hand out from the Scottish government to keep the Grangemouth distillery open. For their views on tracking check out their press release last year which highlights their views.
http://www.ineos.com/Articles/INCH-Issue4-2013/Material-gain
Material gain about sums up their approach. A global corporation who as well as importing shale gas from America for processing now owns the rights of 80% of Petroleum Explration and Development licenses. PEDLS. Big words for fracking. How ironic on Nicola Sturgeon’s first FM question time this is announced. Corporate bosses showing who really control the puppet strings? It is easy too to feel cynical and wonder when the deals had been signed. Thankfully people who have become more politically engaged since during the referendum have raised their concerns in the social media.
Apparently Nicola Sturgeon has said she has not been persuaded that there are some benefits to fracking. However do a few jobs make up for the downside of fracking and the environmental catastrophes it may lead too. Most of the Central belt and the Fifth of Forth have been identified as potential sites. This is the ultimate NIMBY campaign as it will be affecting all the areas we live in. My belief is you have to be red to be green and that is why I am glad we as a party oppose fracking and call for investment into renewables which would be a fantastic opportunity for the Scottish economy. Proud to be a socialist and part of a movement which will always put people before profit first. I will always campaign for the rights of individuals before the schemes of exploitation of greedy global corporations. Hope you will join us.