Orkney Tories

Finance Minister won’t meet McGrigor over Orkney under-funding

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor has pledged to continue to seek a meeting with the Scottish Executive over Orkney's council under-funding.

The Highlands & Islands MSP received a letter this week from Finance Minister Tom McCabe saying the Minister could not find the time to visit Orkney to discuss the matter. Mr McGrigor said, while he was disappointed, he would be writing again to press the issue.

Jamie McGrigor said "I'm sorry that the Finance Minister is unable to find the time to visit Orkney to discuss this important issue.

"He has taken over four months to reply to my original correspondence and all he has been able to come up with up with is a three page brush off which claims the under-funding is "perceived” and that Orkney is in only a "seemingly” poor position.

"These are not perceived disparities as the Minister suggests but a real under-funding that sees Orkney receiving significantly less per capita than the other island communities. I would like the Minister to explain to me how that is only “perceived”?

“Despite Orkney’s Band D council tax passing the £1,000 barrier for the first time, the gap between what the other islands communities and Orkney receives is increasing and the Scottish Executive seems either oblivious or unconcerned to the real seriousness of the problem.

"I will be forwarding the Minister’s letter on to Orkney Islands Council for their comment and will be writing again to Mr McCabe to ask him to visit Orkney to allow him to discuss the problems first hand with those the under-funding effects most".

Planning Bill to repeal Udal Law

Mary Scanlon MSP has questioned the Scottish Executive’s chief Planning officers on the effect of Udal Law, on the proposed 12 mile limit for marine development contained within the new Planning Bill (Scotland).

As the Scottish Conservative Planning spokesman and member of the Communities Committee, the lead committee for legislating on the new Planning Bill, Mary sought clarification on how the provisions contained within it will impact on current udal law, and the Zetland County Council Act 1974.

Mary asked if landowners in Orkney and Shetland who are affected by udal law had been consulted on the proposals in relation to udal law.

“One of the Executive officials confirmed to me that the essence of the Bill specifies ‘one regime relating to marine fish farming, which would repeal the Zetland County Council Act 1974’, we therefore need further clarity as to the rights of landowners in relation to udal law implications in Orkney and Shetland.

The Planning Officers confirmed that although the Bill’s proposals have been consulted on in the islands, they could not be certain of the subsequent effects on the udal rights of people in Orkney and Shetland. They have promised to respond to Mary and other Communities Committee members with clarification, and further information on udal law in relation to the planning Bill will be forwarded.

For further information, please follow the attached link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/communities/or-06/co06-0101.htm

McGrigor attacks SNP scaremongering over boundaries

Jamie McGrigor has accused the SNP of scaremongering after they wrongly claimed that the future of the Orkney and Shetland Westminster seat was under threat.

The Conservative MSP said the actions of the SNP’s Angus MacNeil only demonstrated the agitation in nationalist ranks caused by the resurgence of the Conservatives under David Cameron. Mr McGrigor said the exemptions that meant Orkney and Shetland was a seat at Westminster were needed for geographical reasons.

Jamie McGrigor said “The Parliamentary Constituencies (Equalisation) Bill is a Private Members Bill and is certainly not Conservative Party policy as the SNP are mischievously trying to suggest.

“This is nothing more than scaremongering. It’s a shame that the SNP is obviously so desperate to counter the resurgence in Conservative fortunes north and south of the border under David Cameron that they are digging around for anything and everything to put out as half-baked news stories.

“Orkney and Shetland, as island communities, have particular needs which are relevant to both of them. That is why, along with geographical reasons, there is an MP for the Northern Isles and shall continue to be so”.

McGrigor backs local NFU calls for retention of Hatston Cull Centre

Orkney farmers could be forced to slaughter large numbers of cattle on local farms if the Hatston Cull Centre is lost.

That’s according to Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor who has written to the Scottish Executive over concerns raised by NFU Orkney that a new system, announced just before Christmas, might see animals taken to Brechin to be culled.

Jamie McGrigor said “This situation has come about because the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) rejected a tender submitted by Orkney Islands Council to provide a service under the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme.

“Despite the obvious impact this would have, NFU Orkney have advised me that they were given little notice of the changes, the impact of which was magnified because many of the agencies involved were closed for the holidays.

“They are understandably concerned that, as well as the costs involved, this risks putting extra strain on already stretched livestock shipping services, as well as raising animal welfare issues with significant number of animals a year having to be slaughtered on Orkney’s farms because they are unable to cope with the long journeys required.

“These, of course, as fallen stock will have no value and this raises both serious economic and welfare issues. NFU Orkney believe a reasonable compromise would be for facilities on Orkney to be retained for a further year to 18months, thus allowing a reduction of pre-1996 cattle, restructuring of herds and for the new livestock transport system to bed in.

”While this may cost more than the Brechin option, surely both the welfare issues and potential economic impact on farmers in Orkney make this a sensible and preferred option, and I have written to Ross Finnie to make just that point.”

The changes will take effect when the Over Thirty Month Scheme (OTMS) is replaced with the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS) from 23rd January 2006. The last day of operation for the Hatston Cull Centre in Kirkwall is scheduled for 18th January 2006 and Mr McGrigor has asked Mr Finnie to deal with the matter urgently.

Cameron leadership attracts thousands of new Party members

More than 16,000 new members have joined the Conservative Party since David Cameron took over as Leader on December 6 last year.

Support among young people has also surged, visits to the Party website have rocketed, and voters have also been switching to the Conservatives in local government by-elections held over the past month. Mr Cameron has hailed the upsurge in support and interest as a positive response to the Party's new message of "change, optimism and hope".

He said: "Above all we are showing how the consistent application of our values - trusting people and sharing responsibility - can inspire a new generation to get involved in politics and to help build a modern, compassionate Conservative Party."

Scottish Conservative Party Conference 2006 - 4th March 2006

The Scottish Conservative Party will hold its Annual Conference at the Perth Concert Hall on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th March 2006.

For any Conference related queries, please contact:

Miss Vicky Rines
83 Princes Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2ER

Telephone: 0131 247 6872

Email: vicky.rines@scottishtories.org.uk

click for an appplication form - http://www.conservatives.com/pdf/ScotAppFormRepresentatives.pdf

Cameron invites Lib Dem supporters to vote Conservative

David Cameron has issued an invitation to Liberal Democrats to switch to the Conservatives, and help build a modern, mainstream, and progressive opposition to the Labour Government.

The Conservative Leader delivered the appeal during a keynote speech in Hereford in which he emphasised that the Conservative Party is changing - and said:"So let's change things together".
With embattled Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy under mounting pressure to quit, and support for his party falling away, Mr Cameron highlighted his drive to create a new brand of modern, compassionate Conservatism, and a party which is more inclusive and reflective of today's modern Britain.

And he said: "There is a new home for Liberal Democrat voters - and so a real prospect of a change of government - because today we have a Conservative Party that believes passionately in green politics, that is committed to decentralisation and localism, that supports open markets, that is prepared to stand up for civil liberties and the rule of law, and which wants Britain to be a positive participant in the EU, as a champion of liberal values."

Mr Cameron went on: "So I believe it's time for Liberal Democrat voters, councillors and MPs that share these values and this agenda to come and join the new Conservative Party. If you join us, we can together build a modern, progressive, liberal, mainstream opposition to Labour."

The Conservative Leader explained his credo - to improve public services by giving power to people, professionals and local communities; improve the environment and quality of life by turning green words into action; to strengthen the economy by freeing the creators of wealth, especially small businesses, to create jobs and prosperity. And also to improve the way Britain is run by respecting civil liberties and basic democratic rights.

Arguing that the obstacles that once stood in the way of creating a modern mainstream movement no longer exist - for example the Conservative attitude to devolution and the localisation of power - he declared: "I say to Liberal Democrats everywhere: we, like you, are on the side of the local community, and want to give local people more power and control over how their services are run, how their neighbourhoods are policed, and their priorities are delivered."

Mr Cameron said the Iraq war should no longer be a dividing issue. "I say to Liberal Democrats everywhere: we're on the same side now. We want to see the same things happen as quickly as possible: democracy established, security guaranteed, and our troops coming home as quickly as possible.

And stressing his liberal Conservative credentials, he said: "I'm determined to tackle the challenges faced by our country and our world in a moderate, forward-looking, progressive way. I hope, over the next weeks, months and years, that many Liberal Democrats will want to join us, to build a modern, compassionate Conservative Party, to help address the big challenges our society faces, and to be a growing voice for change, optimism and hope."

Read the full speech