MP BACKS MORAY PROMOTION PUSH
Posted on Wednesday, March 1 2006
Robertson says “Moray should be better branded and sold”
Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has called for the region to be promoted more vigorously. His appeal comes after addressing a meeting of local entrepreneurs where he outlined his vision of economic and social success for Moray.
Mr Robertson highlighted the opportunities for the region if local goods, companies and attractions are marketed and branded as products of Moray.
Speaking about the promotion initiative Mr Robertson said:
“We are blessed in this part of the world to have tremendous products, companies and attractions. What unites them is “high quality”, a feature most other places would give a lot for.
“It is also true to say that we have a fantastic pool of talented and hard-working people, increasingly from many parts of the world like England and more recently Poland.
“If we embrace all of this and make the most of it we could have a bright future indeed.
“However, there is one particular challenge that we need to get to grips with, which is that these strengths are not universally understood outside Moray. To be honest we do not sell ourselves and Moray as well as we could.
“I would like to see the business community, tourism sector and public agencies getting together and come up with a plan. This might involve the use of advertising, new media opportunities such as the internet and even a quality Moray kite-mark to highlight the “Made in Moray” message.
Mr Robertson said he has been delighted by the feedback from members of Moray Entrepreneurs. The organisation was recently established for the Moray business community - for existing businesses and organisations as well as encouraging new potential entrepreneurs in Moray.
During his address at Elgin’s Eight Acres Hotel Mr Robertson also highlighted his hopes for improved transportation links, especially the A96 and A95 as well as national policies which would help the economy grow and reverse population decline.
Speaking about the vision for the future Mr Robertson said:
“Moray like the rest of Scotland has to emerge from a dependency mindset. Much of our local economy is defence dependent and we need to make sure we diversify in the years ahead. The country as a whole has been content to put up with second rate and remote government which does not give us a competitive advantage.
“There are plenty examples of people in Moray with ‘get up and go’ who have made a huge difference. We need to promote that spirit of independence to release our economic potential and secure better social standards in the years ahead.
ENDS
Background More information about Moray Entrepreneurs is available at: http://www.moraybusiness.org.uk/
Contact: Angus Robertson 01343 551111
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE EXPOSES MILITARY OVERSTRETCH
Posted on Tuesday, February 28 2006
"GOVERNMENT MUST NOW HEED WARNINGS"
Responding to the report by the House of Common's Public Accounts
Committee which found that almost a third of forces had serious or
critical weaknesses to their required peacetime readiness levels, the
SNP's Shadow Defence Minister Angus Robertson MP said:
"This report just confirms what most people knew and what the SNP was
warning the Government about. It exposes how the Government's management
of the armed forces is seriously in question.
"In a time of global instability, it sharply puts into focus the
recklessness of merging Scotland's historic regiments when the army is at
such overstretch. It also shows how it would be a waste to spend money on
a new generation of nuclear weapons which cannot protect us from
terrorists.
"It's about time the Government heeded the warnings and had the humility
to realise and admit the mistaken route it has taken."
ENDS
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