It would be the “ultimate Westminster insult” to energy workers in Scotland’s north east if Ed Miliband becomes the UK’s next chancellor, SNP candidate Richard Thomson has claimed.
Mr Thomson, the SNP candidate in the upcoming Aberdeen South Westminster by-election, was speaking amid speculation that Mr Miliband, currently the UK’s Energy Secretary, could take Rachel Reeves’s job if Andy Burnham succeeds in becoming prime minister.
The Aberdeen South contest is taking place on June 18, the same day voters in Makerfield will decide if Greater Manchester mayor Mr Burnham will become their new MP – a move which could then allow him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
There have been reports that Mr Burnham would install the current Energy Secretary in 11 Downing Street if he makes it into Number 10.
The promotion of Miliband to the Treasury would be the ultimate Westminster insult to Aberdeen’s energy workers
Mr Thomson claimed: On Ed Miliband’s watch, 1,000 energy jobs a month have been lost in Aberdeen and right across Scotland.
“Now Westminster looks set to reward him by making him Chancellor and giving him control over the vast resources and revenue that comes from Scotland’s energy.”
Mr Thomson recalled how Rishi Sunak as chancellor had introduced the energy profits levy – also known as the windfall tax – on the oil and gas sector, and the Tories had made him prime minister after that.
Absolutely thrilled to have been selected as @theSNP Candidate for the Aberdeen South by-election!@StephenFlynnSNP has been an outstanding MP for Aberdeen South and I am determined to build on everything he has delivered for the constituency since 2019. pic.twitter.com/kidqm8dunw
— Richard Thomson (@thomsonrichardg) May 20, 2026
The SNP candidate added: “Ed Miliband has destroyed 1,000 energy jobs a month and the Labour Party are set to make him chancellor. That’s the Westminster way – control of our energy and contempt for our city and our workers.
“The promotion of Miliband to the Treasury would be the ultimate Westminster insult to Aberdeen’s energy workers, but it would also be typical of a UK system that has only ever treated Scotland’s premier industry as a cash cow for the Treasury’s coffers.”
Mr Thomson said the Aberdeen South by-election – taking place after former SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn moved to Holyrood – is a chance to “reject Westminster politicians being rewarded for their disastrous rule over our energy resources”.
He added: “Only the SNP will put Scotland’s energy in Scotland’s hands to the benefit of all our people – where the richness of our energy resources can be used to bring down bills, protect oil and gas jobs right now, and build a new renewable industry for the future.”