Dave Thompson MSP

In this day and age, there are more ways than ever to communicate. Every day, I receive emails, telephone calls and letters from people across my constituency covering a wide range of concerns. Despite the advances in technology which mean we can contact one another anywhere, at any time, on anything, I still don’t think there is a more effective means of communicating than discussing an issue face to face. That is why I hold regular surgeries, throughout the constituency, so that you can inform me of your concerns and queries. As I write this article, I am looking forward to chatting with many of you at another surgery on Friday 20 April, this time in Acharacle.

One of the issues that often comes to the fore is nuclear weapons in Scotland. Today, all British nuclear weapons are based on the Clyde, and I, amongst many Scots, am deeply concerned about this. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has launched a petition online at www.naenuclear.org so that those who are committed to a nuclear-free Scotland can register their support. The Lochaber branch of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is hosting a meeting on 13 May 2012, at the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William. I will be sharing a platform with Bruce Kent, a veteran campaigner for nuclear disarmament, to speak on the subject of trident in an independent Scotland. The meeting will begin at 7pm and everybody is welcome.

Other issues that have been on people’s minds are the Kilchoan/Tobermory and Lochaline/Fishnish car ferry services, and I am continuing to stress the importance of these services to the Scottish Government. The Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has promised to come to West Ardnamurchan (and the Small Isles) to discuss any ferry-related concerns and I look forward to his visit.

Genetically Modified crops are another hot topic and it is a subject that was tackled at an international agricultural conference in Strathpeffer last month. The Scottish Crofting Federation hosted the conference which was entitled ‘Celebrating Crofter’s Seeds and Breeds’. I was privilege to be able to speak at the conference about the rich history of crofting we have in Scotland, as well as commending the cultural and agricultural diversity in the Highlands. Crofting was born out of a sense of challenge to an established order in the last few centuries, and today it is a similar sense of challenge that inspires the work of many crofters.

Of course one of the key challenges for many of us is the economic climate and I was astounded last month to read George Osborne’s Budget. The Budget hits people with modest pensions and savings for their retirement. Meanwhile, Mr Cameron and his rich cronies will enjoy a cut to the 50p tax rate. The irony is that there are more pensioners in Scotland who are affected by the ‘pensioners poll tax’ than voters who supported the Conservative party in the last election. Last week in Westminster, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, of the SNP, wondered aloud whether the man who helped usher in the poll tax twenty years ago had been involved in the development of the new policy.

The cut will benefit the grand total of 15,000 people in Scotland and so it is clear that it is not in Scotland’s interest. Yet, despite this and with the exception of six SNP MPs, an amendment to overturn the 50p tax cut received no support from a single Scottish MP, Labour, Lib Dem or Tory. With the Westminster Government, it is one rule for the poor and another for the rich.

It is also one rule for Scotland and another for London. Last week, Boris Johnson, who is running the race for re-election as Mayor of London, called for devo-max financial powers for London. His arguments for London are even stronger for Scotland, based on the latest Government Expenditure & Revenue Figures so I wonder when he will back the same powers for Scotland.