Douglas Lumsden marked his first speech in parliament by saying his emphatic by-election win is a mandate from Aberdeen to save the North Sea oil and gas industry which is so clear it is “echoing across Westminster”.
In his maiden speech, the new Conservative MP for Aberdeen South said he will be judged on how “loudly and firmly” he can make the case for saving the livelihoods of the offshore workforce.
The Aberdeen-born MP highlighted the significance of the Piper Alpha memorial in his constituency as a reminder to both Westminster and Holyrood governments of the sacrifices made by North Sea workers who have enabled people to “enjoy the benefits of modern life”.
Lumsden said winning with almost 50% of the vote emphasised that people have had enough of both Labour and the SNP’s “destruction of the industry, their jobs and the city’s economy”.
In his speech in the Commons, he paid tribute to former female MPs of Aberdeen South, Anne Begg, and Baroness Tweedsmuir of Belhelvie, Priscilla Buchan, who represented the area for two decades from 1946 to 1966.
Lumsden also recalled how both he and Stephen Flynn were councillors together on Aberdeen City Council, calling on him to “press the First Minister to get off the fence” to defend the oil and gas industry now he is in Holyrood.
Speaking of how immensely proud he was to be at Westminster, Conservative Aberdeen South MP, Douglas Lumsden, said: “It’s an honour to be here and a responsibility that I take seriously. I am grateful and humbled by the trust the people of Aberdeen have placed in me.
“With almost 50% of the votes, the people of Aberdeen have made their voices heard loud and clear.
“Clear enough to echo around the Palace of Westminster and Holyrood alike, the people of Aberdeen have had enough of the wilful destruction of the oil and gas industry, destruction of their jobs and destruction of their local economy.
“This win is a clear mandate from the people of Aberdeen to the Labour government here in Westminster, and the SNP government in Holyrood to act now to save our North Sea oil and gas industry.
“Aberdeen has a rich history of reinvention. From fishing, to textiles, to oil and gas, the silver city with the golden sands has been a cornerstone of Scotland's success for centuries and it has changed and evolved more than most.
“Today, energy plays the critical role in the city's prosperity, with thousands of my constituents among the most highly skilled workers in the industry. I am immensely proud to represent them.”
Douglas Lumsden MP added: “So too is it a privilege to represent so many distinctive parts of the city — from the great south harbour at Torry, to Hazlehead Park, where the Piper Alpha memorial stands. That memorial is a testament to the dangerous, demanding work our oil and gas workers carry out week in, week out, for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom.
“Energy security is national security, and it is too easy to forget the sacrifices, large and small, made by this sector so that the rest of us can enjoy the benefits of modern life.”
He concluded by saying: “I am sure that my time here will be judged not just on the basis of how I can help constituents with their issues, or the quality of legislation that I pass. My time here will be judged how loudly and firmly I can make the case for our oil and gas workers.
“It is the privilege of my life to represent my city a city that thousands of oil and gas workers call home. I will spend every day repaying the trust the people of Aberdeen have placed in me.”
