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09/06/2010 |
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The election is over and the posters have been taken down across the Western Isles. Finally, I hope, I may now get my peats in. Well done to all those who stood, campaigned, or just voted, whatever side they were on. All that said, it should be recognised that Angus MacNeil has achieved a remarkable result in the Western Isles. Despite the SNP not even being invited to take part in the main political television coverage, Angus not only won, but increased his majority. Congratulations on a result which was well deserved. Angus has been, and will continue to be a hard working and vocal representative for the islands, at a time when that is exactly what is required. The evidence suggests that his vote was particularly strong in Uist. The need for people speaking up for Scotland’s interests in Westminster has never been stronger. As I write this, I can see the telly from the corner of my eye. David Cameron is emerging from Buckingham Palace as Prime Minister. I am fairly sure that regardless of whether Mr Brown or Mr Cameron had become Prime Minister, huge cuts would have been directed at Scotland. Public services here will indisputably suffer, as there seems little doubt that Mr Cameron will want to cut Scotland’s block grant over the coming years. For those of us old enough to remember the last time when people asked if a UK Tory government had a mandate to run Scotland, this all seems strangely familiar. Yes, we have a Scottish Parliament now. However, as we will soon become painfully aware, the power to determine what Holyrood has to spend on Scottish schools and hospitals lies firmly in Mr Cameron’s hands. That, in my view, makes an argument for more economic power for Scotland. It’s a debate that will not go away. I hope that all parties – at least those not actually in coalition with the Tories – will be prepared to join with the Scottish Government in arguing Scotland’s corner. None of us can afford to be so blinded by old political hatreds that we can’t see the need to stand up now for Scotland’s national interest.
The formidable campaign to keep Lochmaddy School open has made real progress. The school no longer features in the Comhairle’s list of schools which will be consulted on in the coming year for closure. This is by no means the end of the campaign for the Lochmaddy community, or, to be fair, the end of the debate about what shape education in the islands will take in the future. However, it is a testimony, I believe, to the powerful arguments which the community has put for keeping the school. The news comes just after the Scottish Parliament’s new legislation covering the process of school closures, the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, came into force. The Act gives increased protection for schools – particularly for those in rural areas. While educational considerations remain a priority, consideration must also now be given to the social and economic ramifications for a community in the event that its school is targeted for closure. In considering all the evidence presented regarding Lochmaddy Primary School, I am entirely satisfied of the case in favour of retaining it, and have committed to assisting the community with their efforts to this end in any way that I can.
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Last Updated ( 09/06/2010 )
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