English independence campaigners demand 'fair share' of North Sea oil
English independence campaigners have demanded a ''fair share'' of North Sea Oil in the event of Scotland breaking away from the UK.
Oil rigs at Dundee Docks.
- By David Clegg, political reporter
- Published in the Courier : 23.12.11
- Published online : 23.12.11 @ 08.10am
Robin Tilbrook, the chairman of the English Democrats, said the Westminster Government must get a bigger share of oil for England ahead of the referendum on Scottish independence.
He said: ''In the highly probable event of Alex Salmond winning a referendum for independence of Scotland, this issue will need to be resolved after the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
''The English Democrats are calling for an independent and impartial tribunal to be set up to make a binding determination as to where the national boundary of the seabed lies between English waters and Scottish waters.
''So far Scottish interests and the Scottish National Party have had it all their own way in claiming that all of North Sea oil is Scottish.''
He claimed: ''Up to half of North Sea oil is within English territorial waters. I therefore call upon the secretary of state for business, Mr Vince Cable, to institute a proper judicial enquiry to establish the national seabed boundary without further delay or prevarication.''
The row came after Britain's most senior civil servant warned defeating the SNP's drive for independence will be a ''enormous challenge''.
Just a week before his retiral, cabinet secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell went on the record to warn that holding Britain together will be a major issue in the coming years.
He said: ''Over the next few years, there will be enormous challenges, such as whether to keep our kingdom united.''
The top civil servant visited Edinburgh at the end of September and told Scottish colleagues to get on with delivering the independence referendum.
He told a meeting of senior staff: ''Our job is to support the elected Government of the day. That means different things in different places.
''In Scotland there is an elected Government with a clear commitment to move towards a referendum on independence. Civil servants in the Scottish Government should support their ministers in the development of that policy.''
His latest comments have been welcomed by First Minister Alex Salmond, who said: ''Sir Gus is right to recognise the importance of the constitutional issue.''
But Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont disagreed. She said: ''Gus O'Donnell is widely regarded but on the issue of the constitution he is wide of the mark.
''Sovereignty lies with the people, not with politicians or officials, and it may have escaped his notice that the people of Scotland are yet to be given the choice.''
10.14am - 23.12.2011 Munro - Perth, Scotland Report This
What continues to escape Ms Lamont's and Labour MSPs notice is the SNP majority last May giving an increasing mandate to the SNP. Perhaps she and her leader Mr Miliband will tell us what the benefits are of remaining in the union - or will it be more "too wee, too poor, too stupid" negative drivel?
11.19am - 23.12.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Westminster already "stole" thousands of square miles of Scottish waters over 10 years ago. That still left the vast bulk of oil in the Scottish sector. What weird kind of illogical distribution are this group looking for now? Still, it shows they know Independence would be beneficial to Scotland :)
12.07pm - 23.12.2011 Dr Robert Leslie - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
I take it the "English Territorial Waters" include those stolen from us by the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999 which transferred 6,255 sq. miles of Scottish waters to the English exchequer. International law would return this to a free Scotland (free from thefts like this, that is).
01.04pm - 23.12.2011 Scott - Inverness, Scotland Report This
You will get no arguments from the SNP there. Marine boundaries are drawn up by the UN these days. Around half the North Sea is indeed English. Most of the oil however is in the North of the North Sea ie. Scottish waters. Unless England is going to try and annex Shetland?
09.49pm - 23.12.2011 John Cunningham - Dundee, Scotland Report This
It comes as no surprise that the English start moaning when the matter of Scotland going independant comes up.Those people have done nothing but go back on promises and stole from Scotland for hundreds of years.Put the border back to the river Tweed,and keep your hands off what belongs to Scotland.
10.55pm - 23.12.2011 Kane Almsivi - Aberdeen, United Kingdom Report This
The English Democrats are clearly deluded. They have no basis to assert that England owns any north sea oil. I explain how in my blog. Gas, yes, plenty of gas. But no oil dear chums, no oil. http://czkane.blogspot.com/2011/12/english-democrats-running-on-empty.html
12.09pm - 24.12.2011 A Scot - Aberdeenshire, Scotland Report This
Clear signs of panic, as the prospect of losing the "cash cow" they've milked for 40 years becomes more likely. Are they seriously trying to claim the sea NE of Aberdeen, or NW of Shetland, is "English"? Time to rid ourselves of this southern colonialist deadweight that's dragging us down.
06.23pm - 25.12.2011 Professor Edwin of Edinburgh - Bristol, England Report This
Im afraid Dr leslie we have only one thief when it comes to England and Scotland "British exchequer" ol boy! bias at that. Barnet Formula ring and bells ! " if you live in a glass building i suggest you dont throw missiles"
02.21pm - 27.12.2011 Trafalgar - Fife, uk Report This
Quite right,,, the oil issue should be shared, and as regards to the SNP majority,, many people in Scotland "never" voted at all. If the SNP are as good at running Scotland as they were at running Moray Council then God help Scotland. They were chucked out big time never to be re-elected again.
10.55am - 28.12.2011 Terry - Ballater, Scotland Report This
Why should the oil be shared, when we gain independence the oil will be within Scottish territorial water and therefore an asset for the scottish people to use. The British government have misused the money from the oil fields for long enough. It is a disgrace the way the money has been mismanaged.
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