Labour appears to be showing an SNP like focus on the wrong problem in terms of net zero as it prepares to exempt some of the energy transition’s biggest winners from its windfall tax hike.

With Sir Keir Starmer making the plan to “switch on Great British Energy” one of the five missions at the core of the party’s campaign for the general election, Labour clearly recognises the political importance of the green agenda.

The plan for GB Energy which it unveiled in Scotland in advance of publication of the full manifesto last week was clearly intended to help the party win seats from the SNP.

Team Starmer probably believed the promise of 50,000 clean energy jobs in Scotland would blunt the attacks of oil industry leaders who warned plans for an increase in the windfall tax on oil and gas firms could wipe out 42,000 North Sea jobs.

Sir Keir had some grounds for confidence given that the most vocal criticism of the windfall tax plan came from the SNP, whose leaders appeared happy to abandon the oil and gas industry so long as they saw more political mileage in courting the greens.

READ MORE: SNP Government new energy jobs claim insults electors

However, even people who may be more generously inclined to Labour might be concerned that the GB Energy plan appears worryingly reminiscent of SNP puffery.

Claiming the energy revolution will be made in Scotland the plan says Labour will build on the country’s reputation as an energy world leader and secure long-term, highly-paid roles for workers across the nation.

It reckons Labour will maximise the potential of Scotland’s renewable energy assets with a focus on the drive to develop floating wind farms. These can operate in much deeper waters than traditional developments, which utilise turbine towers fixed to the seabed.........

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