Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has accused the SNP Government of neglecting Scotland’s defence and industrial base during a visit to Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard.
Speaking to UK Defence Journal, Findlay praised the shipyard’s “incredible work” and warned that political hostility from Edinburgh was making it harder for firms like Babcock to maintain the skilled workforce needed for national security.
Today at Rosyth, @geoallison spoke to Scottish Conservative leader @RussellFindlay1, who accused the SNP of neglecting Scotland’s defence industry and failing the shipbuilding workforce. He also warned that independence would put naval contracts, and Scottish jobs, at risk. pic.twitter.com/macTHT0zKA
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) October 31, 2025
“I’m here to see the incredible work that Babcock do,” he said. “This place supports almost 10,000 skilled jobs and contributes around half a billion pounds to the UK economy. In today’s dangerous and increasingly volatile world, companies like Babcock should be supported by every single politician in the country.”
Findlay said that the Scottish Government’s “petty student politics” toward the defence industry had left Scotland reliant on overseas labour. “Instead of shipping in hundreds of welders from overseas, the SNP should be investing in the college sector and in apprenticeships,” he said.
“College budgets have been hollowed out by about 20%. Little wonder employers like this are finding it difficult to find the skilled workers they need today and tomorrow.”
Turning to the wider industrial landscape, Findlay criticised the decision to accept tenders from Chinese shipyards for new CalMac ferries despite Scotland already owning a state shipyard. “What has happened with the ferries and Ferguson Marine yard is not just a farce,” he said. “The whole process around the awarding of the contract, I believe, was corrupt, and I’m not afraid to say that.”
He added that the consequences had fallen hardest on island communities. “My first thought is with the islanders whose lives and livelihoods are being put in jeopardy due to SNP incompetence,” he said. “We are still a shipbuilding powerhouse. We can produce the finest warships for the Royal Navy and for our allies around the world, so why on earth can we not produce a few basic car ferries? It’s a national scandal.”
It’s fine, just promise to paint the St Andrews cross on every ship that is built.
That should soothe the Scottish nationalist ego a little
stuff Scotland book at the fiasco at holyrood if they can’t operate it what will happen to a fully independent Scotland?
Although the independence movement is a pain, nations that essentially just carve bits off struggle. Secondly Scotland is of geostrategic importance to the UK.. it provides access to the high north guards the north and has the biggest UK hydrocarbons and even if you never dig them up having them available is important.
I thought the SNP had died with the camper van and corruption scandals….it appears there are some very stupid voters. Still take comfort, it has been confirmed the whole of the UK is filled with stupid voters.
Yup, devolution, such a good move.
Unfortunately it looks like the rise of multi party party politics may have a very specific effect in Scotland in that it save the SNP.. the independence vote will always go to the SNP but the unionist vote is now split Labour, conservative, reform and libdems.. essentially there may be a greater anti Independence vote but the SNP may just still bag a load of seats due to just getting more votes than the four to five other parties..
if they don’t have the ability to run a Scottish assembly, what would happen to a independent Scotlan? give them independence then tell mem to f**k off altogether
If one can look past the independence question – Scotland is no less independent today than the other members in the Union and rather more than say, Northern Ireland, – the decision to leave manufacturing and abandon our basic industries taken in the 1980s – 90s, has come home to roost. The U.K. as whole is in the same place because successive governments went on a short term spree that collapsed in 2007-08. We have to move to another strategy for our future.
Another scoop George. You are on a roll.
I thought the uk. government controlled defence matters in the uk.
do not Westminster control defence, or does Scotland control their own defence.
sorry….its just a bit confusing. information gratefully received.. just my humble opinion chaps…