Scotland is an “energy superpower” and could “make that energy work for us” with independence, SNP leader John Swinney has said.
Mr Swinney said that currently people filling up their cars with fuel are paying the price for Westminster failure to take action as it “simply refuses to act to help people.”
Campaigning in the Highlands on Saturday, Scotland’s First Minister called on the UK Government to act now on petrol prices amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The SNP has called on the Prime Minister to remove VAT from fuel for the duration of the crisis and to scrap increases to fuel duty planned for later this year.
Mr Swinney was in the area launching the SNP regional manifesto for the Highlands and Islands and said fuel prices are a particular concern for people in rural areas.
Mr Swinney said: “In energy-rich Scotland filling up the tank should not mean emptying your bank account. But that is the situation facing far too many people as the crisis continues and Westminster simply refuses to act to help people.
“This is even more of a worry in places like the Highlands and across rural Scotland where people rely on the car to get about, which is always an afterthought for Westminster.
“The fact is that Scotland has the energy, but Westminster is setting the price and it just does not work for us.
“If Westminster will not act, then they should get out of the road for an SNP Government that will. And the way to ensure that these powers are in Scotland’s hands is with the fresh start of independence.
“That would mean we could take real action to help people and bring down prices, just like other independent European countries like Ireland.
“Scotland is an energy superpower and with the fresh start of independence we can make that energy work for us, bring down electricity bills and lower prices at the pumps.
“But we have to make it happen, and the way to do that is with an SNP majority on May 7.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “John Swinney is shamefully attempting to exploit the situation in Iran to help his own narrow self-interest and to push through the SNP’s grievance narrative.
“He is more interested in gimmicks than taking the steps necessary to help people who are struggling with the cost of living now.
“A Scottish Labour government will introduce a £100 million package of support to provide practical emergency help to those in need.
“That will include crisis loans for energy-intensive businesses to protect jobs. To help drivers, we will bulk buy fuel to drive down prices at the pumps.
“And we will also provide emergency grants or interest-free loans for struggling households.
“That is the difference a Scottish Labour government can make, and on May 7, the people of Scotland will have the opportunity to vote for it.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Motorists are paying more because of the war in Iran. This is not our war and that is why we did not join it.
“We are determined to keep costs down for motorists. That’s why we have extended the 5p fuel duty cut twice until September and will continue to monitor the situation.”
The rural manifesto includes policies such as action to help young people buy a home, making it easier for them to stay in their communities, more support for childcare, and other measures to help with the cost of living.
Other plans include additional investment of £15 million in flood mitigation, action to identify and improve dangerous junctions and stretches of road and a review of rural bus services to explore further opportunities for franchising.
Mr Swinney said: “The Highlands and Islands are central to Scotland’s prosperity – and with the SNP and me as First Minister, people will have a government that is always on the side of the Highlands and Islands.”
Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain said: “Alex Salmond promised Scotland would be the Saudi Arabia of renewables but the SNP took their eye off the ball and have failed to deliver.
“They sold off Scotland’s prize seabed for a fraction of its true worth and failed to deliver a Scottish energy company despite their promises to do so, no one will trust them to manage Scotland’s energy riches.”
