“Lately, comments like ‘these workers will be fine’ and ‘everything will be fine because they will find work elsewhere’ have been made. It doesn’t help my community if workers have to leave. Stopping refining will not help Scotland’s fuel supply and national security.

“There is no doubt that my constituency will be weaker if I lose the refinery. Job losses will reach thousands. “There is no doubt that Scotland will be weaker because of the loss of its refinery.”

The Unite union, which represents workers at Grangemouth, previously said the proposed closure was an “appalling act of industrial vandalism”. Union bosses have called for the plant to be kept open while low-carbon and renewable energy projects are accelerated to ensure there are no gaps in employment for workers.

Last month general secretary Sharon Graham told the Unite policy conference in Dundee: “Labour must be forced to act. Grangemouth makes net zero look less like a just transition and more like a jobless transition.”

The consultation on Grangemouth comes amid the closure of the Finnart oil terminal in West Scotland. The two are connected by pipeline and Finnart will also close next year.

Mr Leishman said: “Mark my words, shutting down the refinery at Grangemouth and closing Finnart will have enormous consequences for the whole of Scotland. “It won’t be long before pumps on forecourts up and down the country are affected, which means the public will be affected too.”

He added: “If the refinery closes, jobs will be lost, communities will be impoverished and Scotland’s fuel and national security will certainly be compromised.

“There are economic, social and moral reasons for keeping Grangemouth running, and if that isn’t enough, as it really should be, then let me also say there is a political reason too, because you will be judged by what you do at the ballot box and then it happens. And only then.” Not in the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections.

“Let me tell you that it is not too late for the government to do the right thing. Talk to Unite the union, listen to what they say, communicate and negotiate with Ineos to deliver a proper and genuine just transition and keep Grangemouth running until the new industrial cluster is ready on site.

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