Ash Regan, leader of the Alba Party in Holyrood, has reached out to Elon Musk, encouraging him to build a Tesla gigafactory in Scotland.
Tesla, the renowned electric car company co-founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003, opened its Berlin gigafactory in 2022, producing 500,000 vehicles annually and employing over 10,000 workers.
Although Musk previously cited Brexit-related uncertainties as a deterrent to establishing a UK-based gigafactory, he has not ruled out such a move in the future.
Regan’s appeal aims to position Scotland as the ideal location for Tesla’s next major manufacturing hub.
Why Scotland?
The Alba Party emphasises that gigafactories are crucial for the electric vehicle revolution, producing batteries essential for millions of cars in the coming years.
They argue that a Scottish gigafactory could attract billions in investment and create tens of thousands of jobs. Scotland’s strong transport links, port access, and strategic location make it an ideal base to serve both the UK and Ireland.
Regan stated: “A transition that leaves Scottish industry behind is far from ‘just.’ We risk losing high-quality jobs if production moves overseas. Scotland offers excellent infrastructure and the potential to revitalise our manufacturing sector with billions of pounds in investment and thousands of skilled jobs.”
Tesla’s Labour Relations Under Scrutiny
While the Tesla gigafactory in Berlin brought significant employment opportunities, it has faced criticism.
Germany’s IG Metall union highlighted issues such as below-market salaries, excessive working hours, and a “culture of fear” discouraging workers from voicing concerns.
Additionally, Tesla workers in Sweden have been on strike since October 2023, prompting solidarity actions from unions in Denmark and Norway.
Musk’s anti-union stance has also drawn criticism. He has previously argued that unions promote negativity and even threatened to revoke stock options from unionising workers in 2018.
Tesla remains the only major US car manufacturer without union representation.
In November 2023, Musk’s SpaceX joined other companies in a legal challenge to the US National Labour Relations Board, which had accused Tesla of unlawfully firing employees for criticising workplace practices.
Alba’s Broader Vision
The Alba Party links Scotland’s economic potential to its push for independence. Acting party leader Kenny MacAskill condemned Conservative anti-strike laws, asserting that such policies undermine workers’ rights:
“The Tories have declared war on the working class, demonising frontline workers and weakening trade unions to drive down living standards. Independence is the only way to secure a fair future for Scottish workers.”
A Game-Changing Opportunity
Regan believes that attracting Tesla to Scotland would be transformative, bolstering the nation’s economy and advancing its role in the global shift to sustainable energy.
Whether Musk takes up the offer remains to be seen, but the Alba Party’s pitch underscores Scotland’s ambitions to lead in green innovation and economic growth.
This move signals a bold step in Scotland’s pursuit of a brighter, more sustainable future.
