MORAY MP COMMENTS ON RAF UNIFORM REPORTS
Posted on Friday, March 7 2008
Commenting on reports of RAF personnel being advised not to wear uniforms in the Peterborough area following abusive comments Moray MP Angus Robertson said: " In Moray I believe that the vast majority of local residents have a great deal of respect for the work of the RAF personnel in the area. " Happily I have never had any complaints of abuse being targeted at personnel wearing uniforms in Moray and I am sure that we will continue to maintain the good relationships between the Air Force and local communities. " What is reported as happening in Peterborough is absolutely disgraceful. If people feel that a particular military action is wrong any criticisms they have should be levelled at the government Ministers making the decision and not at individuals in the armed forces who have an increasingly difficult and dangerous role to carry out. " Military personnel do not choose their missions but are required to act on behalf of the government of the day. That is not a choice but a duty, like the vast majority of people I have a great respect for that duty and for those who accept it." Ends.
ID CARD PLANS IGNORE COMMON SENSE
Posted on Friday, March 7 2008
'ID scheme is a costly data protection nightmare and completely unnecessary' - Angus Robertson MPMoray's MP Angus Robertson has expressed his concerns that the UK Government is continuing to ignore the wishes of the majority by pressing ahead with plans for a national ID Card scheme.The SNP MP's comments come after the publication of a government 'progress' report saying that the scheme will be implemented in stages. Mr Robertson is concerned that the unpopular scheme is being introduced by stealth and that it poses a fundamental threat to civil liberty.Like many MPs Mr Robertson has received many comments from constituents and from experts in the field which are by and large highly critical of the proposals and sceptical of the benefits being claimed by the government.Commenting on the latest report from the government Angus Robertson said:" This latest announcement on a gradual roll out of ID cards will fool absolutely no-one. This is a Government still determined to bring forward this disturbing, costly and liberty threatening scheme. “ The government know that the case for compulsory ID cards has been severely compromised by the loss of personal data from various Government departments, including the massive loss of millions of Child Benefit client details. Worryingly experts are telling us that that this scheme will do nothing to improve security, despite the billions of pounds being spent on it." It does not take a genius to know that those intent on committing major crimes and acts of terror will be people who will make every effort to bypass any ID Card system, therefore all it is likely to do is create an oppressive 'Big Brother' society. “ ID cards are not wanted in Scotland, and the Scottish Government has made it clear that ID cards will not be required for services based in Scotland. “ The views of the public, industry and security experts must be respected, and groups such as Scottish students must not be forced into taking ID cards by stealth. Students have particularly been targeted by the UK Government, and they must not be compelled into taking ID cards for securing bank accounts or student loans." The SNP is seeking confirmation from the Scottish banks that ID cards will not be prerequisite in opening a bank account for students or anyone else."Ends.
Angus Robertson Column - Friday 7th March 2008
Posted on Friday, March 7 2008
The Future for EuropeOne of the biggest issues in recent years has been debated at length in recent weeks, with a key vote that took place on Wednesday. The issue in question has been the Treaty of Lisbon which sets out how EU countries will interact with each other over the next few years and what legislative powers the European Commission will have. There are many obvious issues which are regularly covered in the news such as membership of the Common Fisheries Policy, which, along with my SNP colleagues, I have continued to oppose; the Common Agricultural Policyl; carbon emission and other environmental targets and many, many other key areas of policy. It is clear to me that where we have a common interest we can benefit from greater co-operation in Europe but equally, in areas of concern like fisheries we should be taking a much stronger line to protect a traditional industry which has demonstrated better sustainable practices with little or no help from the European policies. The key here is that we can have both - we can be a part of a modern Europe sharing major policy on issues of wider concern, particularly environmental policy that can help deal with climate change issues, while better protecting and managing other policy areas like fishing in our own way. Unfortunately the extensive debate in recent weeks has shown that the Westminster Government is determined to accept far too many concessions and I fear that this will simply increase the view that Europe is all controlling, when it is really the UK Government that is failing to deal with the issues presented. Democracy DeniedMy greatest concern, however, as this debate has progressed, is that we were promised a referendum on the treaty and that promise has been broken by the Prime Minister denying the right of voters to consider this vital legislation. That is not an acceptable position and I have argued very strongly for a referendum because regardless of an MP's view, whether in favour of the treaty or against it, the decision is a major constitutional change and I firmly believe that for such a major decision the people should be allowed to decide en masse in a UK wide referendum. What I also find completely bizarre is the Liberal Democrat leadership position of placing a three line whip on Lib Dem MPs to abstain on such a critical vote. A position that is not in the least Liberal and very definitely not democratic.
ROBERTSON WELCOMES FATAL ACCIDENT INQUIRY REVIEW
Posted on Thursday, March 6 2008
SNP Westminster leader, and Defence spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement of a review of fatal accident inquiries (FAIs) by the Scottish Government. The review, which is the first in over 30 years, will be led by Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, and will consider whether the current FAI legislation, enacted in 1976, remains fit for purpose in light of other changes in the justice system. Under the current legislation inquiries into the deaths of Scottish military personnel killed abroad are carried out in England, and Mr Robertson has led calls for the law to be reformed to allow hearings in Scotland. Anomalies in the current situation were underlined when the inquiry into the deaths of 14 service personnel, based at RAF Kinloss in Mr Robertson’s Moray constituency, and killed when their Nimrod crashed in Kandahar in September 2006, were caught up in the queue. Mr Robertson said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government has announced this review, it is absolutely the right thing to do. “The current legislation is out of date and unfit for purpose. “In practice, the system is beleaguered and backlogged, and my own concerns stem particularly from the delays in inquiries into service personnel fatalities, of up to five years. “Families who have lost loved ones abroad are sick of the delays in the coroner’s court system in England, and of the need to travel to attend them. “At a time of grief it is natural and proper that we should make it easier for the families and friends of those killed to understand the circumstances of their loved one’s death. “The notion that the Scottish legal system can’t deal with this effectively is nonsense, and I am delighted that the Scottish Government have taken seriously the need to find a system that will reduce the stress, anguish and delay faced by bereaved families. “I am certain that the Scottish Government’s review will deliver the improvements needed.” ENDS
MORAY SNP REPRESENTATIVES DELIGHTE AT RATES RELIEF VICTORY
Posted on Thursday, March 6 2008
Keith SNP Councillor Gary Coull and Moray MP Angus Robertson have expressed their delight at the decision by Moray Council's Policy Committee to award 100% rates relief to Royal British Legion.SNP Councillors in Moray have been among those who have called for rates relief to be given and this week a motion by Cllr Coull was passed by 8 votes to 5 to give full rates relief to the legions in Moray.Moray MP Angus Robertson, who is also the SNP's Defence Spokesperson and a keen campaigner on veterans issues has also welcomed the news.Commenting on the result Cllr Gary Coull said:" I am delighted that Councillors have seen the valuable part that Royal British Legions play in our communities and are supporting them as such. " Legions are community facilities and the Branches do so much for the local communities that they serve as well as the great work that they do for servicemen and ex-servicemen. " It has taken a long time to get to this stage and I know that the Royal British Legions will now breathe a big sigh of relief because of this decision. " This year sees 90 years since the end of World War 1 and what better way is there to celebrate that than by giving financial relief to the very organisation set up to help those soldiers."Local Moray MP Angus Robertson said:" As the SNP's Defence Spokesman I am regularly pressing the government on veterans issues and I am delighted that Moray Council are also supporting these issues by awarding rates relief." The Legions provide an important role to veterans offering support and advice and campaigning on issues such as the Military Covenant to ensure that service personnel are treated with the respect they deserve both during and after their service to the country." Legions play a major role in strengthening communities and they provide facilities that can be used by all. This decision is fantastic news and will help ensure that their good works continue in the best possible way."Ends.
SNP EXPOSE NUCLEAR MYTHS
Posted on Thursday, March 6 2008
"NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS NOT WANTED IN MORAY OR ELSEWHERE IN SCOTLAND" - Robertson Moray's SNP Member of the Westminster Parliament, Angus Robertson, has condemned comments by the Scotland Office Minister and a Scottish Labour MP as undemocratic and misleading. The local MP has stated that Moray's views and those of the wider Scottish community, including MSPs and MPs of various parties, are being ignored and old figures used to shore up the government's case.In the House of Commons on Tuesday the SNP questioned the Scotland Office Minister's information on Scotland's need for nuclear power. The questions came following an exchange between Labour MP Anne Moffat and the Minister in which she asked whether the Minister considered it irresponsible that the Scottish Government has ruled out the building of new nuclear power stations.In his response the Minister stated that 40% of Scotland's energy needs were supplied by nuclear, however recent figures from the Westminster Government make it quite clear that the use of nuclear power in Scotland has dropped significantly to 26%, with the difference being covered by non-nuclear forms of energy production.Commenting on the Minister's response Moray's MP Angus Robertson said:" Nuclear power is an issue that concerns people in Moray. I regularly receive letters from local campaigners concerned about the environment and our legacy for future generations." The majority of Scottish MSPs including some Labour MSPs have expressed a view against new nuclear power in Scotland and the SNP Scottish Government is reflecting that view by refusing to allow new nuclear power stations to be built." It is ridiculous that a Labour MP in London is taking pot shots against Scottish MSPs who are simply representing the views of the people." Nuclear power stations are not wanted in Moray or elsewhere in Scotland and we have plenty of alternative means of producing energy including a wide range of renewables such as wave, tidal, hydro-power and wind. Wave and tidal power in particular are showing huge promise and when you weight that up against nuclear power stations that will take years to build and leave a legacy of nuclear waste for tens of thousands of years, along with the cost of keeping such waste secure there is no contest." The Scotland Office should be representing Scotland's interest not taking an opposing view to the people it claims to act on behalf of."Ends.
ROBERTSON COMMENTS ON REFERENDUM REJECTION
Posted on Wednesday, March 5 2008
Speaking after the House of Commons rejected proposals to hold a UK-wide referendum on whether to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty, SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson MP, said: “All the main parties in the Commons promised a referendum on the content of Lisbon Treaty, and tonight’s decision is a breach of trust with the whole country. “It is no wonder there is so much cynicism about politicians and the political process, when parties like Labour vote to deny the country the referendum they promised, and the Liberal Democrats sit on their hands.” Commenting on the resignations and revolt amongst the Liberal Democrats, Mr Robertson said: “At one fell swoop Nick Clegg has broken a manifesto promise, forced three of his senior spokespeople to resign, divided his party and lost any authority as a party leader. “In particular, the resignations of three senior spokespeople is a massive blow to Nick Clegg’s leadership and credibility, and he is truly living up to his calamity reputation.” ENDS
ROBERTSON CHALLENGES CLEGG OVER LISBON REFERENDUM
Posted on Monday, March 3 2008
SNP Westminster leader, Angus Robertson MP, has today (Monday) challenged the Liberal Democrats to back a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, after an ICM poll of 1,000 Lib/Dem voters revealed that: - 70% of Lib/Dem voters want a two-question referendum- Lib/Dem voters reject polar choice between “in or out of Europe”- Only 2% back plan to make MPs abstain on Treaty vote.- Opposing a referendum could cost the Liberals 15 seats Mr Robertson said: “Nick Clegg is not only out of touch with public opinion, he’s even out of touch with his own party supporters. “This poll shows that Lib Dem voters back a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty by more than two to one, while just 25% of supporters want the ‘in or out’ referendum Nick Clegg has been huffing and puffing about. “Last weekend the Liberals said they hoped to double their number of MPs, but this poll shows that they are set to lose at least fifteen seats over their bungling of this crucial issue. “Nick Clegg was seen as the LibDems answer to David Cameron, and he is certainly that, if only in the sense that his party is also now divided on Europe.” ENDS
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