“A Scotsman in Reykjavik”
Tuesday, August 28, 2001
In a break from the usual I am writing this column not in Westminster or Moray, but in a hotel room in Iceland. Readers will be aware of the unfortunate plight of so many former Icelandic ‘Cod War’ fishermen. A number of these men live in Moray, and have suffered the indignity of institutional rejection. Despite loosing their source of income, overzealous government bureaucrats have been humiliating these fishermen with demands for levels of proof for compensation not demanded previously for the boat owners. These retired fishermen have had the rug pulled from underneath them, and they asked me to do anything I can to help them.
That is why I have come to Iceland to see what help the authorities here in Reykjavik can offer. Over a couple of days I have been running from one meeting to another to establish what records might assist the ‘Cod War’ fishermen. It is ironic getting the impression that the officials here are more open to helping Scottish fishermen than their counterparts in London and Watford. Sadly, without direct international representation like normal countries, Scotland’s priorities are often left behind. This is a classic example.
Over two days I have met with the Icelandic Fisheries Minister and senior officials at the National Coastguard, Parliament and National Library. Every single one of my discussion partners was extremely co-operative and willing to help out. Records exist which note the names of boats from the UK spotted by the coastguard authorities before and during the dispute around Iceland. There is also the possibility of confirmation that Scottish boats occasionally landed here from harbour records. When I get back I’ll make sure that UK government officials take up the offers of help, and hopefully some additional ‘Cod War’ fishermen will receive the compensation they so rightly deserve.
My biggest shock of the visit so far has not been the amazing beauty of this country. It is the background of the photographer who came to take pictures of my meeting with Fishery Minister Arni Mathiesen. Hard to believe but the family of the media snapper for the major Icelandic newspaper ‘Morgenbladdet’ came originally from Buckie and Findochty. Jim Smart recounted the names and places he remembers in Moray with affection and told me he plans to come back for a visit. I told him he is always welcome, but with a wife and kids in Iceland I have a funny feeling he’ll be staying. In the meantime, I’m packing my bags and will return to Scotland with a lot of goodwill from my new Icelandic friends.
If you ever get the chance, you should come for a visit.
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Railway attraction goes from strength to strength
Tuesday, August 21, 2001
Recess is the time in the parliamentary calendar when MP’s can choose to get on with things in their constituency, or get away for a short break. I have chosen not to take a holiday this summer and try to make sure that I get the things done in Moray, which I should be doing. This week I’ve had two high points that really stick the mind.
Firstly, it was my constituency surgery in Elgin’s ASDA Superstore. For three hours I sat together with my new assistant Graham Leadbitter and listened to the various problems of shoppers and others who came along to see me. When people have problems often they turn to their elected representatives to try and help them out. It has been one of the surprising parts of the job to find out that you can help get answers or assistance for folks who have been ignored or neglected by central or local government.
During the three-hour stint at the entrance to the supermarket, people talked about their difficulties with war pensions, getting compensation from the government, problem neighbours and many other issues. Some had come long distances to try and get some support, and I’m making sure that I do everything I can to help out.
Over the next few months I will be holding further surgeries around Moray, so if you couldn’t come to ASDA but would like to meet me, I’ll be in your area soon. If there is anything urgent, please call my Elgin office on (01343) 551111.
The next high point for the week was to attend the opening of the latest stage of the Dufftown to Keith Railway. The first passenger carrying train for many years ran between the two towns carrying visitors, railway enthusiasts and local dignitaries. John Begg of Grampian Railtours named the newly arrived green Class 108 DMU, which will travel the route ‘Spirit of Banffshire’. With the completion of the section between Drumuir and Keith the route is now an eleven-mile line linking the World's Malt Whisky Capital, Dufftown, to Keith. As you know it passes through some of Scotland's most picturesque scenery. I would recommend that you consider taking a trip with friends or visitors whenever you get the chance. It is a really enjoyable journey.
It is mind boggling to imaging the amount of work that has gone into restoring the route by the volunteers of the Railway Association. Major congratulations are in order to Maureen Webster and all the volunteers who made the re-opening of the line possible.
The next major task on my to-do list is to try and help the former fishermen, who lost out badly after the Icelandic ‘Cod War’ during the 1970’s. Despite being told that they should receive government compensation, Scottish fishermen have fared worse than their former colleagues down south. While about a thousand men from Grimsby and Hull have rightly been given compensation, less than 20 from the north of Scotland have received any help!
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Angus in Moray Success Story
Wednesday, August 1, 2001
Hard to believe, but the name Angus Robertson has been making the front pages of the newspapers from the United States to Scotland. Before you think I’m blowing my own trumpet, the Angus Robertson in question is my namesake in Cullen.
This is the very same man who approached me on election day intrigued that we have the same name, which is not that common.
His advertising company Robertson Darby Advertising is in the limelight for a highly successful ad campaign for real ale. In case you haven’t seen the billboards, the ads show a man and woman whose modesty is saved by strategically placed hops. They have caught the imagination of advertising experts internationally and put the Moray based firm on the map. Readers of the Wall Street Journal no less have been treated to front-page coverage of the campaign managed from Cullen.
It is difficult to understate the success. Ten years ago it would be unthinkable for a non London-based ad company to run major advertising accounts. It is only within the last five years that firms in Edinburgh and Glasgow began to secure a significant profile. Even at the turn of the new millennium I bet you nobody would have foreseen an ad agency in Cullen win major global publicity for their clients.
This should be seen as a major confidence boost for Moray businesses. It is just one example of the talents of so many people in the area, and should give hope for our young folk. It nails the lie that you can’t be innovative and successful here and that you have to move to the big smoke to make it.
I would strongly urge the local enterprise company and those others who deal in business promotion to build on Angus Robertson’s success. It is a model that we should all be proud of. I know I am.
When I first arrived in the House of Commons many of the MP’s from down south asked me what it was like to represent a ‘peripheral’ constituency. It is the classic perception of the metropolitan mindset, which finds it difficult to think further north of Watford. Angus’ ad success just goes to show that modern technology and a higher quality of life here in the north of Scotland, is a perfect foundation for success. With ambition and hard work it doesn’t matter where one is based.
While my namesake in Cullen has seen his ads splashed across the world’s newspapers, I have been continuing with the constituency work. The House of Commons is in recess, which gives MP’s the chance to concentrate on their constituents concerns. I’m in the process of setting up and staffing my office in Elgin so we can deal with the casework and offer the best service to anybody in Moray who needs help.
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