News & Articles

Some published articles and blog posts from Tommy Sheppard MP

Environment

Public Consultation on Fracking - My Response

Friday, 24 March 2017

Tommy Sheppard

My work for you in Edinburgh East Policy

Public Consultation on Fracking - My Response

The Scottish Government is in the process of consulting the public on unconventional oil and gas. I would encourage everyone to take part. If you have any concerns about fracking in Scotland then now is the time to voice them.

Long before I stood for election I was opposed to fracking so I thought it might be useful to share my answers to the consultation questions. These are my views – no doubt you will have your own. Even if you don’t agree with me I would encourage you to make your views heard.

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Environment Fracking

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UCG Moratorium Announced

Thursday, 08 October 2015

Tommy Sheppard

Policy

UCG Moratorium Announced

The Scottish Government has today put in place a moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Scotland. The following press release was issued by the SNP.

SNP WELCOME OFFSHORE UCG MORATORIUM

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Fracking and UCG: My Thoughts

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Tommy Sheppard

Policy

Fracking and UCG: My Thoughts

Prior to the election, a number of people asked me to clarify my position on fracking, something I was happy to do. I first got involved in politics in the late seventies through campaigning against nuclear power and ever since I’ve been an advocate of renewable energy. So, I guess that even when I first discovered what the term “fracking” meant (and realising that it wasn’t the ubiquitous expletive from the sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica – of which I am a fan) I felt in my water it was a bad thing.

But I spent a bit of time reading up on the subject as I didn’t want to be accused of making a kneejerk response to the debate. And the more I read the more I concluded my initial instincts were correct.

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Tommy's Blog Articles

Tommy Sheppard

13 September 2019

Boris Johnson set to be accountable to MPs for four of 82 days as PM

Media

At two minutes past ten on Wednesday morning I was sitting in court number one just behind St Giles on the Royal Mile. A minute later Lord Carloway announced the unanimous decision by the appeal court judges that the British government had acted illegally in proroguing parliament. There was an audible intake of breath as the decision hit.I was pleased to join my colleague Joanna Cherry QC, and ot...

Tommy Sheppard

09 September 2019

The SNP, Brexit and calls for a General Election

My work for you in Westminster

I've had a few emails recently from people who are asking about the SNP position regarding a general election.While I recorded some video updates last week, one of the limitations of social media is that it mitigates against context and nuance, so it is not always an adequate medium to communicate one's ideas. Also, while the instant nature of social media is useful it is limited in a situation li...

Tommy Sheppard

26 August 2019

In the coming election we must tackle Unionist myths

Media

And so the parliamentary summer recess draws to a close. This week Westminster opposition parties meet to plan their autumn attack. The week after, battle commences in the palace by the Thames. The parliament and the premier, each with a death wish on each other. The question: who will get the killer blow in first?What is clear is that a General Election is coming. Either the government will colla...

Tommy Sheppard

19 August 2019

It's better to be led by the left while we're in UK

Media

Dearie me, what’s going on in the People’s Party? First, shadow chancellor John McDonnell states that a Westminster Labour government wouldn’t block a request from the Scottish Parliament to hold an independence referendum. He says it twice just in case anyone thinks the first time was a mistake. And this week Jeremy Corbyn says it again to be sure.Now, in one sense, it’s an unremarkable statement...

Tommy Sheppard

18 July 2019

Will Boris Johnson’s Brexit Britain be forced on Scotland?

Media

The wait is nearly over. By next week the Tory party will have a new leader. And then they will foist him on the country at large. With most of the votes cast it seems that the clown prince is unstoppable. Barring a miracle Boris Johnson will be our next Prime Minister.

And then what?