.

A message from the Chairman

2007-06-13T08:10:00.000Z

Since taking over as Chairman of the Orkney Branch of the party very recently efforts have been concentrated on the elections to the Scottish Parliament and we were extremely fortunate in having Helen Gardiner as our candidate.

For the first time, thanks to a most generous benefactor, we were able to secure a campaign headquarters in the centre of Kirkwall, which provided us with a high profile and also acted as a focal point for the campaign, initiated by Helen, to seek to obtain a better deal for Orkney through the distribution of the Local Government Block Grant when compared with the other island areas of Shetland and the Western Isles.

This campaign certainly caught the public imagination and it was noticeable that this issue was at the forefront of many of those seeking election to the local council. Helen can take great credit from this and whilst the result of the election was a disappointment to us all this in no way detracts from the excellent work done by Helen.

I am looking forward to an exciting future as the campaign attracted a good number of new activists along with the faithful few and therefore I feel we now have a platform on which we can build for the future.

My aim for the foreseeable future is to build on this goodwill, unite the party and attempt to put in place a structure which will be relevant to the Highlands and Islands region in general, and Orkney in particular.

Ronnie Johnson
Chairman

Contact details: Tel: 01856 870616
e-mail: rdsdj@yahoo.com

50% Council Tax Discount for all Pensioner Households in Orkney

2007-02-02T16:37:00.000Z

Helen Gardiner, Scottish Conservative candidate for Orkney, has spoken out about the proposed 3% rise in Council tax, especially the impact it will inevitably have on hard pressed pensioner households.

Orcadians learned of the likely 3% rise in Council tax when members of the OIC agreed the figure on 29th January during a special meeting of the Council's Policy and Resources Committee.

Helen Gardiner said "The Council Tax is already like a second mortgage and this 3% rise makes it all the harder to accept. However I am particularly concerned about the way it will impact on pensioner households. This is why the Scottish Conservatives pledge to introduce a statutory council tax discount for ALL pensioner households aged 65 or over in Scotland."

Helen explained, “This will be a key pledge in the Conservative manifesto for this year’s Scottish Parliament Elections because we believe that people who have worked hard all their lives and saved for retirement should live in dignity and security in old age.”

“The discount will be centrally funded and will be additional to any discounts that the pensioner is currently entitled to, such as the 25% single household discount and any council tax benefit.”

Helen explained “The discount will apply to people aged 65 or over, who live alone, or who live with other adults aged 65 or over. No one will be made worse off. No group will be charged higher council taxes to finance the discount.”

She added "The discount will not be means tested and will include halving the bills of those on council tax benefit. A typical pensioner in Orkney in a band D property will see a saving of £378 a year, and a typical couple a saving of £504 a year."

Underfunding Shame of the Lib/Lab Pact at Holyrood - Orkney Starts to Feel the Bite

2007-01-23T16:32:00.000Z

Orkney Tory Scottish Parliamentary Candidate Helen Gardiner is calling for the Lib/Lab Scottish Executive to account over the shame of underfunding of Orkney Islands Council.

Helen is urging people in Orkney to "make a clear link between the issue of underfunding and the current crisis in the provision of care for the elderly," saying that "it time to demand that underfunding be brought to an end."

Helen said "We all know that Orkney has been under funded to the tune of £600 per person in comparison with comparable council areas like Shetland and the Western Isles. That has been the case for 10 years now but it's continuously glossed over.

It's blatantly unfair - no ifs and no buts. Lib Dem representation of Orkney in Edinburgh has failed to reverse it which is shameful as it should be the priority. Any MSP worth his salt should push the issue of underfunding of Orkney to top of the agenda, not just an excuse to have another working lunch in Edinburgh or write another letter."

Helen added "We hear time and time again that care for the elderly is not working with many elderly people being fleeced of their capital when they go into care."

"We especially know about the plight of some elderly people placed in care homes in Caithness because there isn't the service available on the island. We also know about respite care costs being reformulated with many now facing big bills. 3,500 people signed a petition protesting about this and asking the Council to spend its reserve money to sort it out."

"Of course, the Council says it cannot spend its reserve money on providing statutory services, that those services should instead be funded by money it gets from the Scottish Executive Capital Programme and that there just isn't enough in that SE allocated pot. We all know the reserve fund is not for statutory services, rather for Orcadian development."

"While I fully appreciate this distinction, I think it's time that Orkney took a bold step in sorting this out. Elderly folk need help now, not 3-4 years down the line. The agreement that brought about underfunding 10 years ago must be revisited as it is clearly unfair.

"I propose to take the issue of underfunding a priority issue because Orkney's elderly are feeling the effects now. It's 10 years since the formula was agreed and times have changed. Orkney needs strong political support to enable the Council to release its oil reserve fund to deal with the care home issue now on the basis that this is an exceptional case. However the trick is to do this solely on the basis of informing the Scottish Executive in very clear terms that it has 2-3 years to revisit the funding formula viz a viz Orkney."

Duke of Orkney to return to Scotland?

2006-11-14T12:37:00.000Z

Conservative MSPs have backed calls for the body of the only Duke of Orkney to be returned to Scotland.

The remains of James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell and third husband of Mary Queen of Scots, currently languish in a crypt in Farevejle Church in Denmark. Bothwell was accused of treason in 1567 and fled to Orkney where he hoped to raise support to put Mary back on the throne.

Failing to find sufficient backing, he went to Norway and then to Denmark, where he was imprisoned in appalling conditions for some ten years before he eventually died, insane.

Now Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Ted Brocklebank, along with Conservative Culture Spokesman Jamie McGrigor, have backed a campaign by one of Bothwell’s descendants, Sir Alistair Buchan Hepburn, for the Earl’s body to be returned to Scotland. They said it’s time Bothwell was allowed to come home.

Ted said “For many years, Bothwell’s mummified body was kept in a glass coffin as a ghastly tourist attraction by the Danish church authorities. Only in 1975, was it moved to a crypt in the church.

“I have been in correspondence with the Scottish Culture Minister Patricia Fergusson about the possibility of the Danish authorities returning Bothwell’s remains to Scotland, where there is no doubt he wished to be buried. A number of Bothwell’s descendants, including Sir Alistair Buchan Hepburn, a constituent of mine, have been in touch with the minister and elders at Farevejle Church seeking to have the remains repatriated.

“In September of this year, Queen Margrethe II respected the last wish of Maria Fjodorowna, a Danish national and widow of Tsar Alexander III, to be removed from her grave in Denmark and re-buried in Russia. How much more appropriate that the remains of the husband of Mary Queen of Scots, himself a Scot, should be returned to his homeland.

“And perhaps an appropriate last resting place for the Earl would be the Collegiate Church of Crichton in Midlothian, close by Crichton Castle which played such an important role in the story of James Hepburn and his ill-fated Queen”.

Mr Brocklebank said he hoped Bothwell’s reputation had not contributed to the inertia of officials in trying to retrieve his remains, arguing that revisionist historians like John Guy and Gore Brown had carried out extensive researches which portray Bothwell in a far more sympathetic light than in he past.

His calls were backed by Highlands and Islands MSP and Scottish Conservative Culture Spokesman Jamie McGrigor who said it was time for Bothwell to come home.

“There is no reason why James Hepburn’s wish to return home, even although expressed 438 years ago, should not be treated with equal respect to the wishes of Czarina Maria, whose body has now been reinterred in St. Petersburg. Maria was consort to the Tsar of Russia and Bothwell was consort to the Queen of Scotland. Both were buried in Denmark, a place they didn’t want to be.

“It’s now time for James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell and Duke of Orkney, to be allowed to come home to Scotland”.

Helen to fight for Holyrood

2006-11-06T15:45:00.000Z

Helen Gardiner (37) will contest next May's Holyrood elections after being chosen as the Conservative candidate for Orkney at a packed meeting in Kirkwall.

Brought up in the Highlands, Helen read law at Edinburgh University, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice at Glasgow University. A Scottish qualified lawyer, she ran her own law practice in Shetland throughout most of her twenties and early thirties. Since then she has been an international lawyer, seconded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to various countries aiming to join the EU.

Commenting on her selection, Helen said: “I am new to politics in the sense that I’ve never run for a seat before. However I’m not new to the issues. It’s the issues that brought me back to the Conservative Party at this time. I am very excited about the way David Cameron is steering the Conservative party back to a position of power. I want to play a part in that.”

Helen has a strong background in health related matters, having been one of the youngest ever appointed non executive directors of her local NHS board, then in Shetland. She was also instrumental in bringing about new drugs misuse services, was a Safeguarder to the Children‘s Panel and a Curator ad Litem in Sheriff Court matters relating to children. She is a keen follower of issues relating to island life including farming, fishing, tourism and transport.

Helen added: “I look forward to speaking to people in Orkney between now and May and hearing about what’s important for them. I want to persuade people to look again at what the Conservative Party has to offer. We’ve been on the side lines too long and it‘s time we reconnected with people. I want to be given an opportunity to put across our policies - devolving power from central government to local communities, providing better health care, education and housing, encouraging economic growth, and I am looking forward to the campaign.

McGrigor attacks Orkney reconviction figures

2006-11-02T12:14:00.000Z

MSP Jamie McGrigor has described as appalling new figures which show that nearly a quarter of those convicted of crime in Orkney are reconvicted of new offences within 2 years.

The Conservative MSP said it was clear evidence that convicted criminals were not being rehabilitated successfully.

Jamie McGrigor said “These figures are appalling. Labour and their Liberal Democrat colleagues should hang their heads in shame.

“24% of people convicted in Orkney are being reconvicted within two years, with one in ten reconvicted within only 6 months. But what is most concerning is that these figures are from 2002/3 so who can tell how bad the situation is now.

“Nothing could demonstrate more clearly that convicted criminals are not being rehabilitated successfully or helped off the conveyor belt of crime. The Scottish Executive has a responsibility to protect the honest law-abiding citizen from those who wish to commit crime but it is a responsibility which Labour and Liberal Democrat ministers are failing to meet.

“We now have fewer police on the beat, far easier access to bail, ineffective community sentences and, as these figures show, a cancer of repeat offenders causing mayhem and misery”.

Mr McGrigor said the Scottish Conservative “Three Strikes” policy, whereby anyone given a third custodial sentence for any crime will receive an extra tariff automatically, was the first step in the fight against the problem in Orkney.

“This policy will help prisons to fulfil their objectives; protecting the public, deterring criminals, punishing them for their crimes and rehabilitation.

“It will send a clear message to criminals in Orkney that we will not tolerate repeated, serious offending such as mugging, robbing, rape, assault and burglary”.

Labour’s new bed & breakfast stealth tax will hike cost of Scottish trips

2006-08-07T10:26:00.000Z

With the summer holiday season in full swing, Scottish Conservatives today launched a campaign to stop Labour’s latest money-making ruse - a new stealth tax on Scottish holidays.

Gordon Brown and John Prescott (prior to losing his job) asked former Labour councillor, Sir Michael Lyons, to produce plans for new local taxes; in December’s interim report, he raised the prospect of a new local levy on England’s hotels, hostels and bed & breakfasts; in Scotland a similar exercise is underway and Unison, amongst others, has called for just such a tourism tax.

This would be on top of existing business rates and VAT on hotel bills. Based on similar taxes in other countries, this could potentially add £100 a week to the cost of a family holiday or visit to tourist destinations. Less well-off families would be the hardest hit.

Jamie McGrigor, Scottish Conservative tourism spokesman, commented: “The brilliant summer weather has shown what a great place Scotland is to spend a short break or a holiday.

"But the great seaside or highland holiday is under threat from a ‘bed & breakfast stealth tax’ – Labour’s latest money-making ploy. There’s nothing wrong with choosing to travel abroad, but no-one will benefit from making Scottish holidays a rip-off.”

McGrigor backs calls for action on Supermarket Code of Practice

2006-06-15T08:31:00.000Z

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor has backed calls to strengthen the Supermarket Code of Practice.

Commenting after the Scottish Parliament’s Environment and Rural Development Committee published its report into the Food Supply Chain, the Conservative MSP said it was time to give the Code real teeth.

Jamie McGrigor said “During the course of this inquiry the Committee heard of the difficulties many sectors face, particularly in those of dairy, red meat and vegetable production, due to a distorted distribution of power in the food supply chain.

“These sectors are left struggling to meet their costs and, as a result, in the dairy sector alone 700 family farms (a quarter of Scotland’s total) have gone out of production in the last five years, including many in the Highlands and Islands.

“So what has been done to arrest the decline? What actions has the Scottish Executive undertaken to give hope to yet another struggling Scottish industry? Nothing. The Liberal Democrat Minister has so far just sat back and allowed this erosion of the rural economy to continue.

“Now the Environment and Rural Development Committee has set out a clear number of areas in which the Executive must act. Firstly, there needs to be increased emphasis and development of local food economies with increased marketing of the Scottish brand. Next the Executive needs to ease the high level of regulation currently imposed on Scottish farmers to ensure that they are not at an economic disadvantage.

“In addition, the Executive must use its power to influence supermarkets’ contract practices to introduce greater transparency. Currently the relationship is so confused that farmers and producers were reluctant to even comment on the record to the Committee for fear of losing business.

“Finally, the time has come to strengthen the existing Supermarket Code of Practice to give it real teeth, to ensure that there is an equitable distribution of resources throughout the chain providing a fair level of profit for everyone including, most importantly, the primary producer.”

“If we truly value Scotland’s produce, and want the Highlands and Islands to continue to produce some of the finest foods that can be found anywhere in the World, then the Executive must act now. They must implement the Committee’s recommendations before it’s too late”.

McGrigor: “VisitScotland must do more for smaller Highlands and Islands tourism operators”

2006-06-07T10:57:00.000Z

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor has said VisitScotland must do more for smaller tourism operators in the Highlands and Islands.

Following a meeting today with VisitScotland.com Chief Executive Marco Truffelli, the Conservative Tourism Spokesman said if the tourism body was to be of value it must make a substantial difference to the small establishments such as B&Bs which Mr McGrigor described as the backbone of the industry

Mr McGrigor is currently surveying tourism operators across the Highlands and Islands on the performance of VisitScotland and said responses so far were largely critical of the body.

Jamie McGrigor said “This was a very useful meeting for me and I am arranging a visit to Visitscotland’s call centre in Livingston to see for myself how they handle enquiries.
”Certainly the responses I have received so far from my survey suggest that enquiries are not being handled properly, and that the restructuring of Scotland’s tourism industry continues to cause concern and even anger.

“For example, if Visitscotland.com is to be of value, it must make a substantial difference to the small establishments that are the backbone of the industry. The views I have so far received from my survey suggest that this is simply not the case.

“Only 15 per cent of inquiries to Visitscotland.com last year actually generated bookings. That cannot represent good value for money and VisitScotland must do more to help the smaller tourism operators across the Highlands and Islands”.

McGrigor: “Urgent upgrading needed on Highland road links”

2006-06-07T10:56:00.000Z

Responding to news that an internet survey of motorists conducted by the Rural Community Gateway voted major Highland routes the most unpopular roads in Scotland, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“This survey only confirms what those of us who regularly use the A9 and A96 already know – these roads are in serious need of upgrading.

“The A96 which, for the second year running, was voted the most unpopular road in Scotland, should be helping drive the local economy of Moray yet its capacity simply cannot cope with the demand.

“The A9, the highway of the Highlands and a critical link through Ross-shire, Sutherland and Caithness to Orkney, is Scotland’s deadliest road, with an average of 16 lives lost every year. There is real need for major improvements both north and south of Inverness.

“Both the A9 and the A96 need upgrading and they need it as a matter of priority. It’s time for Labour and the LibDems to stop talking about transport infrastructure and start acting

MSP demands a better deal for Northern Constabulary police

2006-05-10T14:50:00.000Z

Commenting after today’s reports that nearly two-thirds of Scotland's police stations no longer provide a round-the-clock manned service and that only 14 out of the 74 police stations in the Northern Constabulary area are manned 24hours, Conservative Highlands and Island MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“I appreciate that many of the remotest stations will not have a permanent police presence, however I would be interested to know what hours they are manned and what effect that has on local crime and anti-social behaviour levels.

“Communities across the Highlands and Islands want the reassurance of a local police presence in their area, especially when they’ve experienced crime amongst Highlands and Islands’ 14-16year olds rise 24%1, and total crime up in the Constabulary’s area rise 8%2.

“The Northern Constabulary area already has the lowest number of police officers employed per 1,000 of population, with only 2.52 officers for every 1,000 people. With such a large and dispersed area, and with so many remote communities to cover, it is imperative that the Scottish provides the Northern Constabulary with the support its excellent officers need to do their difficult job.

“Crime and anti-social behaviour blights so many communities across the Highlands and Islands. It’s time for the pretendy tough talk from the Liberal Democrat/Labour Executive in Edinburgh to stop, and the proper funding of our local police to start”.

MSP welcomes Scottish Beef back onto Europe’s tables

2006-05-03T10:57:00.000Z

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor has described today’s lifting of the beef ban as a massive boost for local farmers

The Highlands and Islands MSP said he hoped the move would help the industry re-establish its world class status and exports worth £130 million per year before the ban.

Jamie McGrigor said “The lifting of the beef ban represents a step forward for the Scottish Beef industry and is a most welcome decision for beef farmers across the Highlands and Islands.

“The Scottish beef industry has faced many pressures in the past, and I hope the lifting of the ban will help the industry to re-establish its important world class status once more and regain the £130 million market”

“Government figures for the estimated income for Scottish farms during 2005 reported a reduction from £19,800 to just £13,100 average income for farmers.

“I hope that the lifting of the beef ban will see farm incomes increase again and see the future of the industry across the Highlands and Islands secured”.

McGrigor wants Calcutta Cup-winning captain from Highlands and Islands

2006-04-24T12:15:00.000Z

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor said he hoped the Highlands and Islands might provide a future Calcutta Cup-winning captain.

Mr McGrigor joined Scots rugby coach Frank Hadden and some of his players at Parliament as the 128 year old trophy began its promotional tour of Scotland. There are currently 9,000 rugby players in Scotland, compared with 250,000 in England, and the SRU wants the tour to encourage more young people to take up the game.

Mr McGrigor said he hoped rugby clubs across the Highlands and Islands would get a chance to host one of world sport’s most prestigious trophies.

Jamie McGrigor said “Even when I was playing rugby at school, although not particularly well, the Calcutta Cup had an almost mythical status.

“It was a fantastic achievement for a resurgent Scotland to beat England at Murrayfield in the 6 Nations and I’m looking forward to Scotland retaining the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham next year.

“Taking the Calcutta Cup around Scotland is a fantastic idea and I hope rugby clubs and schools across the Highlands and Islands will try and get the trophy to visit them.

“Perhaps we might even see the Highlands and Islands producing Scottish Calcutta Cup-winning captains of the future”.

From August onwards, the Calcutta Cup will be “given” to the eight managers in the new SRU Rugby Development Structure in the Regions, where they will be responsible for the successful event planning for the Calcutta Cup in each of the 14 regions, to increase the growth of the game in clubs and schools throughout their region. These clubs and schools will be able to pitch for the Cup to visit events within their area.

Tories select Orcadian to fight Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber

2006-04-09T17:49:00.000Z

Scottish Conservatives in Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber have chosen Orcadian Jamie Halcro Johnston to be their candidate for next May’s Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Jamie was Conservative candidate for Moray at last year’s General Election and regained 2nd place for the Party. He currently works as a Press Officer to Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor at Holyrood.

Commenting on his selection, Jamie said “I am delighted to have been selected to fight for Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber.

”I’ll be promoting positive solutions to the problems that face Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, working closely with local organisations to raise issues and holding this Labour and Liberal Democrat Executive to account for their awful record on the Highlands and Islands”.

Scottish Conservative Deputy Leader and Invernessian Murdo Fraser MSP added “Jamie is one of the many outstanding candidates we will have fighting for seats at next May’s election.

“Coming from the region, he has huge personal experience of the problems in the Highlands and Islands, as well as a real determination to address them.

“I’m looking forward to joining Jamie for a few days campaigning when I’m next in Inverness”.

Local Tories choose new chairman

2006-04-04T16:07:00.000Z

Local Conservatives have chosen a woman to be their new chairman for the first time.

Tracy Thomson, who lives at Greenigoe in Orphir, was chosen by members on Tuesday. She was previously the Election Agent for the Party at last year's General Election.

Speaking after her election, Tracy said: “I am delighted, and deeply honoured, to have been chosen to serve as chairman.

"I will be working hard to continue the growth of the Conservative Association in Orkney and ensure we build on the success the Party is enjoying across the UK at the moment.”

Orkney Conservative president, Morgan Harcus, added: “We are all delighted that Tracy has been elected as chairman. Her election is a fitting reward for all the hard work she has put in previously as Election Agent.”

McGrigor calls for Executive rethink on tail docking

2006-03-16T14:12:00.000Z

The Scottish Executive must rethink its planned ban on tail docking, according to Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor.
Following a meeting at Parliament with Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg on Wednesday, the Conservative MSP, who has previously bred spaniels, has written to Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie urging an exemption for working dogs.

Jamie McGrigor said “Many constituents across the Highlands and Islands have contacted me with their concerns over the possible banning of tail shortening for specialist breeds of working dogs such as spaniels, terriers and pointers.

“The Executive’s plans are causing particular concern amongst land and wildlife management professionals and, as someone who’s bred Springer Spaniels myself, I know there is a real risk of increased suffering for dogs if this ban goes ahead.

“It comes despite an exemption for working dogs in England and Wales and despite the Scottish Executive originally planning such an exemption for Scotland. Unfortunately, as is so often the case with this Executive, they have now changed their minds and u-turned on the issue, and we risk having the ridiculous situation where the law differs across the UK.

“This ban won’t just affect privately owned dogs and I would be interested to know what representations the Executive have had from police and rescue services about the welfare of the spaniels they use in often dangerous and confined situations.

“Working professionals are devoted to their dogs and would never do anything to deliberately cause them pain. By tail shortening in infancy, they are only trying to protect the welfare of their dogs in adulthood. This Animal Welfare Bill should help them to do this rather than the reverse”.

McGrigor calls for better support for established Highlands and Islands tourism projects

2006-03-16T12:12:00.001Z

MSP Jamie McGrigor has called for better support for existing tourism groups in the Highlands and Islands.

The Scottish Conservative Tourism and Sports Spokesman raised concerns at Ministers’ Question Time that new initiatives were being funded at the expense of older, more established projects.

Jamie McGrigor said “There are many well-established and highly successful tourism initiatives across the Highlands and Islands.

“However, concerns have been raised with me by people within the Highlands and Islands tourism industry that funding is being concentrated on new tourism initiatives at the expense of other long-established tried and trusted successful projects.

“One such established scheme is Golf Highland which represents many smaller courses in the region. Despite golf playing an increasingly important part in the success of local tourism, Golf Highland is apparently unable to apply for funding and is forced to rely on their membership subscriptions.

“I hope the Minister look at this situation and ensure that Golf Highland, and other well-established groups like it, are not penalised for their success”.

Education Minister Peter Peacock, who was standing in for the unavailable Tourism Minister Patricia Fergusson, said he would raise the issue with Ms Fergusson.

Heating schemes extension welcome but better delivery needed, say McGrigor

2006-03-14T11:26:00.000Z

Responding to today’s announcement by Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm that the Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal scheme will be extended for another two years, Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor, who last year exposed problems with the delivery of the schemes, said:

“I welcome news that the schemes will be extended but the problems I highlighted last year were problems of delivery.

”The Executive must ensure that applications are dealt with quickly and efficiently, that work is carried out on time with the minimum of inconvenience to householders and that local companies are allowed to play a greater role in installation work.

”I know EAGA has worked hard to deal with the cases I raised but we cannot afford another situation like last year where older people, many of whom were vulnerable, faced a winter without adequate heating because of delays in the delivery of the scheme”.

McGrigor: “Executive can’t afford repeat of Northlink tendering fiasco”

2006-03-09T18:16:00.000Z

Commenting after state-owned Caledonian MacBrayne were confirmed as the Scottish Executive’s preferred bidder for the Northern Isles ferry contract, Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“The Scottish Executive’s handling of the tendering for ferry services to the Northern Isles has been poor from the start.

“I just hope the Executive have learnt from the mistakes of the past and have ensured CalMac are fully aware of all the obligations of maintaining these lifeline services for Orkney and Shetland.

“We cannot afford a repeat of the fiasco the last tender process resulted in as the Scottish taxpayer will not be prepared to pick up the bill again for more Executive mistakes”.

MSP hopes new website will encourage people to “Get in Touch”

2006-03-07T16:06:00.000Z

MSP Jamie McGrigor hopes his new website will mean more constituents will get in touch.

Launching http://www.jamiemcgrigormsp.com/, the Conservative MSP said the site would make it easier for him to update people across the Highlands and Islands with his latest news, as well as making it easier for them to raise issues with him.

Jamie McGrigor said “It’s so important that people feel they can contact their local representatives and I hope this new site encourages my constituents to get in touch.

“The new site is designed to make access to information as simple as possible. As well as holding all my latest news, it also has an online diary in which meetings and events I am attending will be published, making it easier for people to see the work I’m doing their area.

“Constituents can also register for Email Updates and this allows me to keep them up to date with the very latest news of what I’m doing and what’s going on at Parliament in general. I’m also hoping to include an online surgery facility soon.

“I hope people will visit the site and contact me with any suggestions as to content and other services, and that this will help me better serve my constituents across the Highlands and Islands”.

Visit the website – http://www.jamiemcgrigormsp.com/

McGrigor on Orkney Council cost cutting exercise

2006-03-01T16:29:00.000Z

Responding to Wednesday’s statement by Orkney Islands Council Chief Executive Alistair Buchan that cost cutting is to be introduced, Highlands & Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

"In a letter to me recently, the Finance Minister described Orkney’s under-funding crisis as "perceived” and that Orkney was only in a "seemingly” poor position – I doubt if he would dare say the same today after this latest news.
”The Council has said that it will try and protect vulnerable service users “as far as possible” and I’m sure that will be of some concern to those that rely on Orkney Islands Council to provide them with social services.

"Surely now the Lib/Lab Executive must realise the seriousness of the situation in Orkney – a situation their under funding of the islands has caused”.

Orkney mustn’t lose well-proven Islander emergency cover, says McGrigor

2006-02-24T10:52:00.000Z

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor has said the Scottish Executive mustn’t allow Orkney to lose the security of the Islander aircraft’s emergency cover.

Speaking in a debate in Parliament, the Conservative MSP backed Orkney Convenor Stephen Hagan’s concerns that many people in the isles would feel vulnerable when the current air ambulance provision ends on 31 March, and called for the Loganair-operated aircraft to be retained.

Jamie McGrigor said “This debate was a welcome opportunity to discuss one of the key issues raised with me when I visited Orkney last summer and an issue I raised with the Minister for Health in September.

“In his reply to me, Minister Andy Kerr admitted that there had been some ‘teething troubles’ with the service. I wonder whether the ‘troubles’ he was referring to include the case in which the air ambulance was requested to transfer a patient to hospital with a severed artery - apparently with blood pumping from the wound - but, because the helicopter was on another mission, it was 108 minutes after the original request before the helicopter arrived.

“While I appreciate this might be more exception than rule, it does little to instil confidence in the much-vaunted new level of cover.”

Mr McGrigor then concentrated on response times, calling on the Executive to provide a comparison of the average time for an Islander-based response and the average time for an EC135-based response, from the alert time to the patient's arrival at the destination hospital. He also backed Orkney Islands Council convener Stephen Hagan’s concerns that many people in the isles would feel vulnerable when the new contract starts and that this could have an impact on Council efforts against depopulation.

“Unless action is taken by 31 March, the security that the well-trusted Islander gives Orkney will end. Orkney Islands Council is concerned; politicians from all parties, including the Executive parties, are concerned; doctors are concerned; and, most important, local people in Orkney are concerned.

“The Executive must reconsider its position and allow the retention of the excellent Islander aircraft to ensure that Orkney continues to be covered by its well-proven service”.

McGrigor repeats calls for Islanders to be retained

2006-02-22T10:21:00.000Z

Ahead of Thursday night’s debate in Parliament on air ambulance cover for Orkney, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor, who will speak in the debate, has called for the Executive to retain the Loganair-operated Islander aircraft as emergency cover.

Jamie McGrigor said “I welcome Thursday’s debate as the provision of air ambulance cover to the islands was one of the key issues raised during a meeting I held with Orkney Islands Council convenor Stephen Hagan last summer.

“It was an issue I raised with the Health Minister then as there is real feeling that local concerns are not being listened to by the Executive. Communities like Orkney need to be able to have confidence in their emergency health provision and the air ambulance is a crucial part of that.

“Retaining the Islanders on an emergency only basis was estimated to cost around £100,000, a relatively small amount when considered the new contract to run air ambulance cover is costing £70m over 5-7 years.

“The Executive should reconsider its position and retain the Islanders for emergency cover”.

McGrigor welcomes reduced air fares proposal but seeks answers on eligibility

2006-02-14T15:11:00.000Z

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor has welcomed Scottish Executive proposals to bring down air fares to some of Scotland’s remoter communities.

However, the Conservative MSP has warned that the scheme must be properly funded and is seeking answers from Transport Minister Tavish Scott over how the Executive plans to ensure that only those eligible for discounts to flights will receive them.

Mr McGrigor has also sought confirmation that students from eligible areas will get the discount, arguing that there was already an increasing burden on those in further education.

Jamie McGrigor said “I largely welcome the Executive’s announcement of the proposals to subsidise air fares in the Highlands and Islands.
”People in Scotland’s remoter areas have looked on with a mixture of envy and frustration as air fares from Scotland’s major airports to both national and international destinations dropped, while prices on routes within Scotland, and particularly within the Highlands and Islands, have increased.

“However, I want to know how the Executive plan to ensure that only those with a main residence in one of these eligible areas will benefit from the reductions and how much the Executive expect these checks to cost annually. It is important to know whether responsibility for ensuring eligibility will fall on those selling the tickets or on the Executive.

“Also, with the ever-increasing burden on those in further education and student debts mounting, I have asked the Minister to confirm whether students from the eligible areas will benefit from the reductions or if they’ll be forced to pay full fares.

“With the scheme hoped to increase air travel in the Highlands and Islands, the Executive must ensure that the funds they have allocated to deliver the scheme are sufficient and that this does not become just another part-delivered Executive initiative”.

McGrigor anger as Labour play council tax blame game

2006-02-09T16:20:00.000Z

Responding to today’s news that average band D council tax bills are likely to rise significantly across the Highlands and Islands, MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“The Labour/Liberal Scottish Executive blames the councils and the councils blame the Executive.

“While Labour and the Liberal Democrats play the blame game, local people are seeing more and more of their income go on paying the ever increasing council tax bill. Yet are we seeing improvements to levels of service?

“So far, all the increases announced are well above the 2.5% level the First Minister claims would be a reasonable increase. If Jack McConnell really wants to see increases kept low then he needs to cut back on his Executive’s ring fencing of local government funding and allow local councils to determine the funding priorities in their areas.

“Until he does this, council tax levels will increase while services are lost and quality standards decrease. This is the legacy of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive - higher council tax bills and less service”.

Orkney Tories

2006-01-26T12:24:00.000Z

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

2006-01-25T10:10:00.000Z

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

2006-01-18T14:53:00.000Z

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

2006-01-16T16:35:00.000Z

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

2006-01-13T10:16:00.000Z

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

2006-01-09T09:57:00.000Z

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

2006-01-06T15:12:00.000Z

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

2006-01-03T15:54:00.000Z

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

McGrigor: “Public expects unsolved murder cases to remain open”

2005-12-20T10:01:00.000Z

Commenting on the number of unsolved murder cases in the Highlands and Islands, Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“I am confident that Northern Constabulary officers, who work tirelessly on behalf of the people of the Highlands and Islands, are as frustrated as anyone over these as yet unsolved cases.

“It should not be acceptable for those who take a person’s life, especially as horrifically as in the most recent cases where Alistair Wilson in Nairn and Shamsudden Mahmood in Orkney were murdered in cold blooded hits, to remain unpunished without the fear of being caught.

“The public would expect these cases remain open but there is also an onus on those members of the public who either know who committed these murders, or at least have suspicions to come forward and perhaps give Northern Constabulary the new lead they require to progress these cases.

“If that happens, we might see the perpetrators of these horrific crimes being caught, prosecuted and convicted”.

“Delight” at Cameron victory

2005-12-07T10:48:00.000Z

Responding to news of David Cameron’s election as the Conservative Party’s new UK leader, Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“I am delighted at David Cameron’s election as UK Conservative leader and will be writing to congratulate him personally.

“With David Cameron at Westminster and Annabel Goldie at Holyrood, we have a formidable team holding Labour, and the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, to account.

“This is a real opportunity for the Scottish Conservatives. It’s now up to every member, wherever they are in the Highlands and Islands, to work together to promote our vision for a better Scotland and a stronger United Kingdom.

“As David Cameron sets upon his task of exposing Labour’s failures as the UK Government, I will continue to expose Labour and the Liberal Democrats’ failures as the Executive in Scotland”.

Executive failing Highlands and Islands on waiting times

2005-11-25T14:34:00.000Z

MSP Jamie McGrigor has accused the Scottish Executive of failing to improve waiting times in the Highlands and Islands.

Responding to the latest ISD Scotland figures for September, the Conservative MSP said, while record funding was being put into the NHS, waiting lists were increasing in the Highlands and Islands and less patients were being treated.

Jamie McGrigor said “We’ve become used to seeing waiting time figures increase but you never quite know how bad they’re going to be.

“Orkney has seen a 25% increase in waiting times for outpatients and an increase of 3 days for inpatients and day cases. What we’re seeing is record investment across the Highlands and Islands but fewer people being treated and people actually waiting longer - that’s failure whichever way the Scottish Executive tries to spin it.

“To bring down waiting times and for more people to be seen means we have to increase capacity. That can only be done if the private sector is allowed to play a far greater role in the provision of healthcare in Scotland than it currently does.

“For that, we need to stop seeing the NHS in the narrow ideological way Labour, the SNP and the Liberal Democrats see it and start striving for the NHS we all want to see – one that puts curing people before ideological concerns”.

McGrigor: “Cases only tip of Highlands and Islands heating problem iceberg”

2005-11-14T16:46:00.000Z

Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor is now dealing with over 80 cases where work on heating systems under the Scottish Executive’s Warm Deal and Central Heating programmes has not been carried out.

Jamie McGrigor said “I am dealing with more than 80 cases to do with applications in the Highlands and Islands but my concern is that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“While there has been some movement on some cases, who knows how many more cases there are? Who knows how many elderly and vulnerable people in the Highlands and Islands face a cold winter without adequate heating because of the Scottish Executive's failure to ensure full delivery of its schemes?

“Constituents have experienced significant delays in getting work done; there has been shoddy or even dangerous workmanship in some cases; and people have simply been denied such work on dubious grounds.

“One constituent says that she feels that she is living in a "danger zone", another has waited two years just for electric heaters to be installed. A Caithness woman was told that she could not go on the scheme because she already had heating—a 20-year-old peat-burning Rayburn.

“The Executive is always quick to congratulate itself but it should also take responsibility when things are not working. Although there are many cases in which work has been delivered successfully, there are just too many in which constituents have experienced real and potentially dangerous problems.

“The Executive must act now to ensure that continued support is available for those who need assistance in upgrading their heating systems and in improving the energy efficiency of their homes, but it must also ensure a far better delivery of the schemes”.

McGrigor calls for more information on undersea power lines option

2005-11-11T16:22:00.000Z

Jamie McGrigor has again hit out at the threat of giant pylons being sited in the Highlands.

The Conservative MSP has called for more information on whether the cables could be run subsea. Mr McGrigor also backed a call by his party’s Deputy Leader Murdo Fraser for a public inquiry into the planning application for the 400kV Beauly to Denny power line.

Jamie McGrigor said “I back Murdo’s call for the Scottish Executive to launch a public inquiry into the planning application by Scottish and Southern Energy.

“Like many people in the Highlands and Islands, I am horrified by the number and sheer size of the new pylons that could be erected throughout the Highlands.

“If a subsea cable is planned to take electricity from Lewis to the Scottish mainland, could it not stay subsea until it gets nearer to where most of the electricity will be used.

“I fully appreciate that there are considerable extra costs associated with this option, however the unknown health concerns over pylons should mean it is at least fully considered. I would certainly like to see more information on its feasibility”.

Mr McGrigor also called on the Scottish Executive to encourage micro wind turbines, which provide on-site generation of electricity. This, he said, would allow properties or communities in remoter areas to become more energy independent.

“Unobtrusive small systems, which make individual houses and buildings energy independent or at least partly independent and save CO2 emissions, should be an important part of future energy policy”.

McGrigor: “Don’t ignore irresponsible fireworks use”

2005-10-28T01:36:00.000Z

Released – 27th October 2005

MSP Jamie McGrigor has called for the strict enforcement of rules regarding the sale and use of fireworks.

Around 1,000 people are hospitalised every year in Scotland, with 5% of cases leading to hospital stays of a night or more. The Conservative MSP urged the public to contact the police when fireworks were being used dangerously in their area.

Jamie McGrigor said "Fireworks can provide fantastic entertainment for families and children, providing exciting, and if properly organised, safe fun for all.

“However, it seems some people are intent on making Bonfire Night lasts for weeks, causing untold misery to some people and pets alike with noise and anti-social behaviour throughout the night.

“The public, along with Northern Constabulary and retailers, can work together to ensure that fireworks are enjoyed safely in the Highlands and Islands and to help reduce the around one thousand people per year taken to hospital in Scotland.

The amended Fireworks Regulations of 2004 banned the sale of air bombs, mini-rockets and bangers, whilst placing stricter controls on rockets. It is also illegal to sell fireworks to people under the age of eighteen.

Mr McGrigor continued "The laws already exist to prosecute people for breaking the law with fireworks, with fines of up to £5000 for those convicted of throwing or setting off fireworks in a public place and with those caught using fireworks to cause unnecessary suffering to animals facing substantial fines as well as imprisonment of up to six months.

"We must deter the kind of irresponsible and dangerous use of fireworks that seems to have been on the increase in recent years”.

McGrigor concerned as crime rises 13% in Orkney

2005-10-27T09:05:00.000Z

Released – 26th October 2005

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor has hit out at the Scottish Executive after new figures revealed huge increases in the number of crimes committed across the region last year.

The Tory MSP was responding to the release of the Recorded Crime in Scotland figures for 2004/05 which showed the number of crimes recorded in the Northern Police area had increased by 8% between 2003/04 and 2004/05, with crime up 13% in Orkney.

Jamie McGrigor said “The fact that 76% of cases recorded were cleared up is testament to the hard work of Orkney’s Northern Constabulary officers.

“However, with Fireraising and vandalism up 43% and the total number of crimes up nearly 13% from 509 cases in 2003 to 574 in 2004/05, these are worrying figures

“The Scottish Executive seems keen to lay the blame for these dramatic increases with their new method of recording cases but this just suggests that they are more interested in damage limitation than on dealing with crime in the Highlands and Islands.

“The Executive should concentrate on providing our local Police with the support they need to continue to do their dedicated work of trying to make communities across the Highlands and Islands safer”.

MSP wants answers on new Northern Isles’ ferry tender

2005-09-27T02:14:00.000Z

Released – 26th September 2005

MSP Jamie McGrigor is demanding answers from the Scottish Executive over their handling of the tendering process to provide ferry services to the Northern Isles.

In a series of Parliamentary questions, the Conservative MSP has asked what considerations the Executive made in the latest tender document for a dedicated livestock/freight vessel to provide year-round transport of livestock from Orkney. Mr McGrigor also asked which groups were consulted before the latest tender document was drafted.

Jamie McGrigor said “As I have seen for myself at the County Show, Orkney produces some of Scotland’s finest livestock.

“However, this is being threatened because, just as the previous tender for ferry services to the Northern Isles failed to provide satisfactory provision for the transportation of livestock, it appears the Executive is making the same mistakes again with the latest tender.

“I’ve held meetings with concerned stakeholders in Orkney and there is real concern locally that a situation some have described as the worst in living memory is going to continue because the Minister has closed his ears to the arguments of local producers and his eyes to the real crisis that producers on the islands face.
”It appears that Nicol Stephen, when Minister for Transport, asked local stakeholders to advise him of the livestock transport needs of Orkney, only for the Executive to announce the tender document without allowing that group to report their findings. Certainly the 1st November cut off date for the consultation on the tender is too short a period for full consideration of this critical issue and what evidence is there that the Executive will listen anyway?

“As well as the questions I have tabled, I have also written to Tavish Scott to ask that he considers the use of a dedicated livestock/freight vessel and that the tender document is revised to make clear the requirement for a proper livestock system.

“He must ensure the mistakes of the past are not revisited and that a solution is found to a problem that this Executive has allowed to run on for far too long”.

Tory leader uses case of Orcadian man to highlight concerns over bail

2005-09-23T02:11:00.000Z

Released – 22nd September 2005

Scottish Conservative Leader David McLetchie has used the case of Orcadian Robert Stanger to highlight concerns over the granting of bail in Scotland.

Speaking at First Minister’s Question Time, Mr McLetchie accused Jack McConnell of tinkering around the edges of the problem and said urgent action was required.

David McLetchie said “The First Minister will be aware of the conviction last week of a man who committed two rapes in Orkney. The second of these occurred while the accused was out on bail and after a condition banning him from staying in Orkney was overturned on the grounds that it breached his human rights leaving him free to rape again.

“The First Minister has talked about toughening up the granting of bail and imposing more conditions on those who are granted bail. But can he guarantee that his new conditions will not suffer the same fate and also fall foul of ECHR?

“This is a problem that requires urgent action. The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents has said that people out on bail commit 150 crimes every day in Scotland – that’s 55,000 a year. That is an appalling statistic and the response of imposing conditions such as tagging or curfews is inadequate.

“The only effective way to protect the public is to keep those charged with serious crimes in jail. We should return to the system where there is a presumption against bail for certain categories of crime such as murder and where the accused has a previous conviction for other serious crimes such as rape.

“The truth is that 5 years ago our law on bail was brought into line with ECHR and this is stopping us from denying bail to certain categories of accused persons. Isn’t it about time the First Minister stopped tinkering around the edges and got to the heart of the matter which requires a review of the Human Rights Act?”

McGrigor attacks “Governmental blackmail” over Orkney Council Tax

2005-09-21T02:12:00.000Z

Released – 20th September 2005

Backing comments by Kirkwall councillor Roderick McLeod in which he described warnings from the Scottish Executive to Orkney Islands Council over it use of revenue obtained from council tax on second homes as "insulting", MSP Jamie McGrigor said:

“This is typical of the centralised attitude and interfering nature of the Scottish Executive.

“To have the gall to dictate to Orkney Islands Council that money raised from tax on second homes must be spent to the “satisfaction” of the Executive or risk having money withheld is shameful and tantamount to governmental blackmail.

“They seem oblivious or ignorant to the fact that £13million per year of government money is already withheld from Orkney through the Executive’s ongoing under-funding of the islands.

“There can be little doubt that this under-funding has lead to the increases in Orkney’s council tax and therefore I would like to see the estimated £160,000 returned to the 7,000 or so council taxpayers of Orkney in the form of a rebate”.