The new Economy Secretary will be assessed against his predecessor, writes TERRY MURDEN
Ever since she announced her departure from Holyrood, questions have been asked about who would take up the key economy portfolio at Holyrood from the saintly Kate Forbes. Stephen Flynn is the answer. And it has prompted more questions, not least whether he can turn his reputation for pummelling ministers in Westminster into effective decision making of his own.
While Forbes enjoyed a cordial relationship with Scotland’s business community, she largely shied away from the sensitive energy issue, preferring the photo-calls provided by technology and life sciences companies in which she could share a steady flow of good news stories about breakthroughs and funding support. Her final speech was to announce the government’s AI strategy.
Her successor has never held ministerial office, but he was the SNP’s fiercely pro-active Westminster leader. He acts like a man who doesn’t take prisoners and is steeped in a region where workers still get their hands dirty.
The new Economy Secretary has been a regular critic of the ‘just transition’, arguing that it has not been just enough. It’s not that he opposes investment in the “tech of tomorrow” – far from it – but his defence of the oil and gas sector reached such intensity that he was reprimanded for shouting at the energy minister Michael Shanks during a Commons debate.
As such his appointment appears to be good news for those in a sector that continues to find few friends on the government benches at either Westminster or Holyrood. Flynn has accused UK ministers of lacking a clear vision to secure future jobs for North Sea workers and has called for the scrapping of the Energy Profits Levy, or windfall tax.
So how does this fit with an SNP government still wedded to the shift away from fossil fuels and a presumption against exploration? Could it be a turning point in the SNP’s energy policy which remains as clear as an Edinburgh haar?
John Swinney used the election to demand energy policy be devolved to Holyrood. He won’t get his wish, but Offshore Energies UK has now issued a demand of its own on his new government, calling for a refreshed Scottish energy strategy that signals clear support for homegrown oil and gas alongside the continued rollout of renewables. Surprisingly, there is no dedicated energy brief so it will fall largely on the shoulders of the new Economy Secretary.
Flynn will now continue his battles with minister at a distance, but will also be drawn into some internal challenges. He will work closely with the new Finance Secretary Jenny Gilruth who will outline how much funding is being put behind the First Minister’s pledge to focus on growth and whether we will finally get a business rates resolution.
With questions over Scotland’s quangos, Flynn must determine the shape of the enterprise network which could be due a shake-up. This may test his intellect and ability to work with other stakeholders. As for the new economy, he will need to develop a relationship with Ben Macpherson, the new Minister for Innovation, Technology & Tertiary Education whose role in determining the direction of travel should not be underestimated.
Having responsibility for transport and tourism, Flynn will take on some of the political hot potatoes, such as the ferries controversy, the state of the nation’s roads and dualling of the A9. Resolving any of these would help establish his credibility, not least for his ultimate ambition to succeed Swinney in the top job.
Terry Murden was Scotland Editor and Business Editor at The Sunday Times, Business Editor at The Scotsman, and Business and City Editor at Scotland on Sunday. He is now Editor of Daily Business
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