Energy takes centre stage in Holyrood election campaign

Campaigning in Aberdeenshire, SNP leader John Swinney will pledge that if his party is re-elected in May he will demand powers over energy are transferred from Westminster to Holyrood, which he claims would bring down bills.

Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader of the Opposition at Westminster, will visit Aberdeen to highlight Conservative plans to reverse policies pursued by the Labour UK government.

READ MORE: Why Labour must not repeat SNP false promises to cut Scottish energy bills

These include giving the green light to drilling and exploration in the North Sea and scrapping net zero-related taxes and subsidies.

It has long been apparent that the cost of energy, and its implications for both households and the wider economy, would be central to this election campaign.

But spiking oil prices since the start of the current conflict in the Middle East have only made the debate all the more urgent.

The UK is afflicted by the highest industrial energy costs in the developed world, with household energy bills among the highest globally.

This is largely the result of political decisions that have been taken by successive governments.

Increasing numbers of politicians from various parties appear to be coming to the view that current energy policy is largely incoherent.

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It is clear that our economy is dependent to a large extent on fossil fuels, and will continue to be for many years to come.

With that being the case, it makes little sense to import it as we leave our own resources untapped. Doing so is bad for both the jobs market and tax receipts. Paradoxically, importing oil and gas from abroad also drives up carbon emissions.

Unless Labour can make a compelling case for maintaining the status quo, many in the north east may feel that the prosperity of their communities has been sacrificed on the altar of green ideology.