MORAY MP SLAMS LIB-DEM ROAD CHARGING LUNACY
Posted on Wednesday, June 18 2008

PROPOSALS WOULD COST MORAY FOLK THOUSANDSThe SNP's Westminster Member of Parliament for Moray, Angus Robertson, has condemned Lib-Dem plans to replace road tax with an 8 pence per kilometre surcharge on motorists. The levy policy, announced by the Lib Dems, could even rise as high as 12p/km for the ‘most polluting’ vehicles, such as 4x4s - an essential mode of transport for many rural workers.The Lib Dems claim the plans are "a radical alternative vision for transport in the 21 century", however if they were ever implemented an 8p per kilometre charge would translate to £9.26 for a round trip from Tomintoul to Elgin. For a year's worth of commuting, assuming 5 days a week for 48 weeks, this works out at an incredible £2222.40 compared to an existing road tax rate of under £200 for an average family car.A commute from Forres to Elgin would cost £729.60, while Buckie to Elgin would be over £1,000 per annum.When you look further to a journey from Elgin to Aberdeen the cost rises to a ridiculous £16.90 for the round trip.Commenting local MP Angus Robertson said: “ These plans are absolute lunacy. Having access to a car is a necessity for many people in Moray. Yet under this scheme, a commuter from Buckie to Elgin would end up paying over £1,000 per year in road charges, while commuting from Tomintoul would cost an absolutely outrageous £2,222 plus fuel and running costs. That’s before you consider anything else that you might use a car for, like shopping or visiting relatives. “ These measures, far from helping the environment, will hit hard working families and businesses hard, especially in rural areas like Moray. If they wanted to help hard pressed rural motorists, the Lib Dems could have supported a practical measure like the SNP policy of a fuel price regulator, which would use the Treasury’s windfall from high oil prices to reduce fuel duty. Sadly, they've chosen a policy that would ramp up the cost of living with no conception of how life is lived in the North & North East. “ This policy is ridiculous for Moray and ridiculous for Scotland as a whole. Scottish Lib Dem MPs must have been asleep at the wheel when this scheme was dreamt up."

MORAY MP RESTATES CASE FOR FUEL DUTY REGULATOR
Posted on Tuesday, June 17 2008

FUEL COSTS BITE HARD ACROSS MORAYMoray's SNP MP Angus Robertson has restated the SNP's case for a Fuel Duty Regulator which he argues would take the inflationary bite out of fuel prices. In the wake of high profile warnings on the economy by the CBI and Bank of England it looks almost certain that the pressure of fuel prices will continue to grow. An economic forecast by the CBI warns that rising commodity costs and weaker consumer demand will combine to push down next year’s GDP growth to the lowest rate since 1992, while the Bank of England Governor Mervyn King warns that inflation could soar above 4% as oil and energy prices spiral. Commenting on the situation Angus Robertson MP said: “ This week's economy warnings paint a bleak picture, and underline just how unprepared Gordon Brown has left the country to cope." In Moray we have numerous industries such as agriculture and fisheries that are particularly affected by fuel prices and for almost any production and manufacturing industry in Moray our geographical position means distribution costs could soar." Local hauliers are having to add fuel surcharges to bills in order to keep a passable profit margin and this cost has to borne by all levels of industry and ultimately the end consumers.“ The CBI forecasts four grim quarters of falling manufacturing output and 18 months of falling manufacturing investment. “ Both the CBI and Bank of England are right to point to spiralling oil and energy prices which will exacerbate the slowing of the economy and push up inflation. “ These are not so much forecasts as warnings, which will see unemployment rise this year and next." For people in Moray where we have a low average income compared to the rest of the UK these warnings are causing real concern and the Chancellor needs to take decisive action." The SNP has a proposal on the table that would at least ease some of the pain associated with high fuel costs.“ The UK Government must adopt the policy of a fuel duty regulator now so that the economy is not further damaged by the super spikes in fuel prices forecast before the end of the year.” Ends.

Burgie Horse Trials supported by Moray MP
Posted on Monday, June 16 2008

The 2008 Burgie Horse Trials have been described as a tremendous success by Moray MP Angus Robertson who awarded the prizes at the close of the weekend competition, including to one star competition victor Ruth Edge and two star class winner Zara Phillips. The Westminster SNP Leader said that “Moray and the north of Scotland should be proud of the high standard of the event and extremely grateful to organisers Polly and Hugh Lochore”. Speaking at the close of the event Mr Robertson said: “This 30th anniversary Burgie Horse Trials has been a tremendous success with an extremely high standard of competition. “It was great to see Scottish rider Ruth Edge win the one star competition, and hopefully her winning form will take her to the Olympics. “Zara Phillips was a great draw for the event and was close to pulling of the double after having won the two star class. “Burgie Horse Trials continues to attract excellent competitors from across the home nations and overseas which is largely down to the fantastic organisational efforts of Polly and Hugh Lochore”. “We owe a real debt of gratitude to them and the whole Burgie team”. Ends.

POST OFFICE CAMPAIGN CARDS DELIVERED TO MP
Posted on Friday, June 13 2008

Moray's local Member of the Westminster Parliament Angus Robertson is today [Friday] visited Portknockie & Lhanbryde Post Offices where he will be presented with Campaign Cards collected at the Post Offices by Postmasters Mr Leslie Findla0y (Portknockie) & Mr David Morrison (Lhanbryde).The campaign, which is being led by the National Federation of SubPostmasters aims to raise awareness of a further threat to the existence of thousands of Post Offices as a result of The Post Office card account (POCA) being under threat.The Government is currently deciding which company will operate the successor to the Post Office Card Account from 2010. Post Office Ltd has made a strong bid, but it is far from certain that it will win the contract. If the Government does not award the contract to Post Office Limited, the post office network will go into further decline. This of course is happening at a time when several branches in Moray are proposed for closure.The National Federation of SubPostmasters estimates that the loss of Card Account income and associated customer numbers will force 3,000 more post offices to close.The NFSP has supplied subpostmasters across the UK with posters to display in their offices and postcards for customers to complete for return to local MPs. The NFSP hopes that the pressure placed on the Government will help push the Government towards ensuring that the Post Office can continue to operate the Card Account. The campaign urges MPs to support a motion in the House of Commons that calls on the government to recognise that the Post Office is best placed to continue operating the Card Accounts as a Post Office product and that retaining the service is vital to the future viability of the Post Office network.Mr Robertson has given his support to the motion and intends to deliver the many hundreds of cards he has already received, and the hundreds more still being collected, to 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister.The MP believes that with such a response in only a couple of weeks that the final numbers of cards he receives will represent one of the biggest supported campaigns he has seen in Moray in recent years.Commenting on the issue SNP MP for Moray Angus Robertson said:" It is simply unbelievable that, at a time of Post Office closures and pressure on this vital community network, the Government is heaping even more pressure and uncertainty onto hard-pressed Postmasters." It seems that it is not enough to close thousands of Post Offices and Labour Ministers seem intent on pulling the rug from under those that are left." For years the Westminster Government has completely failed to come up with a coherent positive policy to map the future for Post Offices and has instead removed service after service from the network." Over the last few years Government Departments have been actively pulling customers away from the Post Office by aggressively pursuing direct debit as a preferred form of payment, even in cases where customers would have preferred to stay with Post Offices, other services such as TV License payments have also been removed." The Post Office Card Account did provide some reprieve from the pressure placed on Post Offices but now even that is under threat." The Labour Government seems absolutely intent on forcing the demise of Post Offices and that has to stop."Notes for Editors:The Motion that the NFSP is asking MPs to support reads as follows:"That this House notes that over four million people chose to use the Post Office Card Account (POCA) and that these transactions earn the Post Office £200 million each year; is aware that the Government will soon announce its decision on which company shall operate the successor product to the POCA from 2010; recognises that the Post Office is best placed to provide this service because of its unrivalled geographical reach, its status as a trusted brand and its ability to offer customers a seamless transition; believes that retaining the successor of the POCA as a Post Office product is essential to the viability of the Post Office network following the Network Change Programme; and in this context urges the Government to award the successor product to the Post Office."Ends.

Post Office Update
Posted on Wednesday, June 11 2008

Commenting on the ongoing campaign to save Post Offices across Moray local SNP MP Angus Robertson said:" The turnout at the Post Office meetings has been phenomenal with packed halls and, in several cases, standing room only." Royal Mail representatives have now heard first hand what the issues are but that needs to be re-stated and backed up with written submissions to the consultation." Residents in Rothiemay, Fife Keith, Buckpool, Elgin & Forres have all made very strong cases for the retention of their local Post Offices and it is important that this message continues to be delivered in the strongest possible way to Royal Mail." Accessibility continues to be the main concern. In Rothiemay for example residents could get a bus to access another Post Office but would then have to stay overnight before the next bus home! That situation is utterly ridiculous. In Fife Keith, Buckpool, Elgin & Forres, Post Office users are being asked to use alternative Post Offices that have either difficult or no nearby parking for those who are less mobile and significant public safety issues have also been raised." Post Offices are the lifeblood of our communities and the Labour Government must provide support and stop its ill-conceived drive for closures."Ends.

SCOTLAND SHOULD HAVE CONTROL OF ELECTIONS
Posted on Wednesday, June 11 2008

Moray's MP Angus Robertson has supported further calls for Westminster to devolve responsibility for Scottish Parliament elections to Holyrood after a Parliamentary committee endorsed the move. The SNP MP, who is also on the Electoral Commission's Consultative Committee on the Scottish Elections, has also welcomed the committees endorsement of the separation of Local Government from Scottish Parliament elections. Commenting on the issue Mr Robertson said:“ The Committee’s report firmly endorses the view of the Parliament that responsibility for Scottish Parliament elections should be transferred to Holyrood. “ It is only the Secretary of State and Labour's Scottish Westminster MPs, in an attempt to cling on to control of Scotland, who feel otherwise. “ The current system is outdated and inappropriate. Westminster MPs would not accept another Parliament running their elections, it is simply nonsensical. " In Moray our elections are very well managed by The Moray Council Elections team led by Returning Officer Alastair Keddie and across Scotland this expertise is replicated." These teams need to have confidence in the systems they are asked to work with and a transparent, accountable structure that they can fit into. The current system is messy and unwieldy and needs to be brought home to Scotland to ensure that democracy is best served." The people of Moray have a fundamental right to expect 100% integrity in the electoral process.“ The Committee’s report, along with the Gould report, demonstrate a clear way forward for the running of elections in Scotland. “ With decoupling of Local Government & Scottish Parliament already agreed the Scottish Government is taking steps to ensure we do not see a repeat of last year's fiasco. It is now time for the UK Government to step up and take its share of responsibility by devolving executive and legislative powers over elections to Scotland.” Ends.

Angus Robertson Column - Friday 13th June 2008
Posted on Wednesday, June 11 2008

Send Government to DetentionThis week in Parliament has seen the debate about detention of terror suspects with the Government proposing an extension of the detention without charge period to 42 days.The SNP has consistently opposed this proposal and I personally believe that to extend detention to 42 days is a major breach of civil liberties and quite simply is reacting in a way that helps terrorists achieve their aims of changing the way in which we live.I also believe that use of an extended detention period would cause resentment in some communities and lead to an increase in so-called 'radicalisation'. That is not the way to resolve the issue, especially when both Scottish and English top legal officers past and present are lining up to say it is unnecessary.Volunteers WeekLast Friday I had the pleasure of helping to promote the very rewarding work of volunteering by helping with a tennis coaching session in Buckie.It was a very enjoyable change being able to get some exercise in during the working day, as the parliamentary schedule and lengthy travelling time to London usually makes it difficult to get a regular exercise regime.I would thank the Head Coach Jenny Munro and the young folk being coached for putting up with a fairly novice instructor, albeit for an hour, and I would encourage anyone with some spare time on their hands and looking for a different challenge to consider volunteering, whether that is in sports instruction, helping in charity shops, fundraising, caring, youth groups, scouts, guides, etc, etc. The list is almost endless.If you fancy a go at volunteering the Volunteer Centre in Elgin's High Street is the place to contact. They have details of a variety of volunteering opportunities throughout Moray to suit a wide range of expertise, fitness and age-groups.American Elections Begin in EarnestStrange as it may seem the US Elections are now really only just beginning!While the news has been full of reports about the battle between Senators Clinton and Obama that has really only been the equivalent of a leadership contest hear in the UK.Now the real fireworks will begin as the Democratic candidate Barack Obama takes on the Republican John McCain.If politics can often be a tough arena in the UK it can be something of a war in the United States. Expect the knives to be sharpened, the ad-companies to roll up their sleeves and the fleets of battle buses to hit the road.I suspect this will be one of the most hard-fought presidential elections in recent times and the outcome will be extremely significant for the entire world, and particularly for the Middle East

SECOND ROUND OF POST OFFICE MEETINGS PACK OUT MORAY HALLS
Posted on Wednesday, June 4 2008

Local Moray MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the mass support for Post Offices in Moray following a packed meeting in Buckpool followed by a meeting in Fife Keith that was so packed concerned Post Office users ended up asking questions from outside the hall using a roving microphone.At both meetings the principal concerns of residents were the accessibility to postal services by the elderly, disabled and parents with pushchairs.In Buckpool the hall was packed with around a hundred residents who question Royal Mail representatives on the reasons for the proposed closure of the Post Office and expressed their concerns about the capacity of alternative locations and the ability of infirm customers to get parked close to Post Offices.In Keith literally hundreds of residents from Fife Keith, Newmill, Rothiemay, Drummuir, Grange and other surrounding communities packed the Ogilvie Hall to such an extent that dozens of members of the public unable to get into the hall had to listen and ask questions through open windows from around the hall.It is estimated that in excess of three hundred people turned up at the Fife Keith meeting to make known their concerns.Commenting after the meeting Angus Robertson MP said:" The turnout to meetings over the last three days has been tremendous showing the depth of feeling on this important issues." From Forres to Elgin, Buckpool, Fife Keith and Rothiemay the message has been loud and clear that the Post Office is a core community institution and the government should keep their hands off it." In every location the key issue has been accessibility, especially for those who are less mobile." Issues included parking availability for disabled and elderly customers, access to regular public transport both to post offices and back. As an example it is possible for people in Rothiemay to get to a Post Office on public transport but it would then require an overnight stay before a return journey can be made. This would clearly be a farcical situation." In Keith the turnout was absolutely massive and I am not even sure there is a venue in the area that can hold as many people as that!" The Royal Mail representatives have been left in no doubt of the public feeling on Post Office Closures and there has been a great deal of constructive comment from every meeting for them to consider."Ends.

SNP CHALLENGE BROWN & DARLING ON RISING FUEL COSTS
Posted on Wednesday, May 28 2008

Moray's Westminster MP Angus Robertson along with SNP colleagues are challenging the Prime Minister and Chancellor over the 4 Billion Pound extra tax that they are now expecting to receive as a result of the high oil price. The SNP's Group of MPs has been repeatedly calling for the extra taxes being raised to offset the soaring price of oil which is hitting residents and businesses alike very hard.Across Moray hauliers are facing massive increases in their basic costs, increases which ultimately are passed to the consumer while car owners across Moray are being forced to dig deep for, in many cases, essential car journeys.Commenting on the worsening fuel situation Angus Robertson MP said:“ The Prime Minister and Chancellor need to explain what they plan to do with the extra 4 billion windfall the Westminster Government is getting from North Sea revenue from soaring oil prices. “ In the Budget, based on an oil price of $83.8 per barrel, Alistair Darling forecast that North Sea revenues would contribute 9.9 billion to the UK Exchequer in 2008/09. But the current oil price is over $130 per barrel for North Sea Brent crude. “ Based on average oil and gas prices in 2008/09 to date, North Sea revenues are set to be over 4 billion higher than the Treasury forecast. “ It is clearly ridiculous that as an oil producing country Scotland has little but pain from record oil prices. " In areas like Moray journeys by car are a necessity, not a luxury and for businesses such as hauliers, fishermen and farmers the situation is becoming dire. " The SNP has put forward firm proposals for a Fuel Duty Regulator that would improve the situation and there are other options such as freezing the planned autumn rise in fuel duty that the Chancellor can take to ease the financial burden that these record prices are placing on ordinary folk." Ends.

NIMROD MP WRITES TO MOD DEMANDING SAFETY UPDATE
Posted on Monday, May 26 2008

The Westminster SNP leader Angus Robertson MP, who represents the home base of the Nimrod fleet RAF Kinloss, has written to the Ministry of Defence demanding a safety update on the aircraft.His letter to Defence Secretary Des Browne follows a Coroners Inquest recommending that the fleet be grounded owing to safety concerns in the wake of the tragic loss of Nimrod XV230 in Afghanistan.Last week Mr Browne confirmed in writing to Angus Robertson MP that not all safety requirements for the Nimrod aircraft had been implemented.Now Mr Robertson has asked for a status report from the MOD to establish which safety requirements had been implemented, which have not and when they will be completed.Speaking about his call for an update Mr Robertson said:“Despite the findings of a Coroner the Ministry of Defence has decided not to ground the Nimrod fleet and Ministers say they are satisfied with safety arrangements.“They have said this although they know that the risk levels to the aircraft are not as low as is reasonably practicable.“The MOD must now confirm which of 30 key safety recommendations have been implemented in full, which have not and when all safety measures are scheduled to be completed in full.“Defence Ministers must get a grip of the situation and restore confidence in their own assessments.“The talented and hardworking military and civilian staff at RAF Kinloss and their families deserve better leadership and management from the MOD.Background – Letter to Defence Secretary Des Browne MP (26 May 2008)Many thanks for your letter of 19th May 2008 relating to the QinetiQ report Nimrod Fuel System Safety Review Report dated October 2007 which was recently released under the Freedom of Information Act.Under the rules of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), for an aircraft to be safe the risk must have been ‘reduced to a level that is ALARP (as low as is reasonably practicable) and broadly acceptable or tolerable’.According to the QinetiQ report only half this condition was in place in the Nimrod fleet – while the risk associated with the aircraft was tolerable “the level of risk present to the fuel system is not ALARP”.In your letter you confirmed that: “Of the 30 safety recommendations contained in the QinetiQ report: 21 have been accepted and are being implemented; 3 are being considered for implementation and a further 6 are on hold as they relate to Air-to-Air Refuelling. Following the leakincident on Nimrod XV235 on 5 November 2007, all Air-to-Air Refuelling on the Nimrod fleet was suspended. This suspension remains in force”.Please could you make a status report on all 24 recommendations which do not relate to Air-to-Air refuelling? How many have been implemented in full already? When specifically do you expect the remaining recommendations to be implemented in full?The answer to these questions will be of relevance to the independent review into the broader issues surrounding the loss of the Royal Air Force Nimrod MR2 aircraft XV230 in Afghanistan on 2 September 2006 being conducted by Charles Haddon-Cave QC and I have sent him a copy of this correspondence.ENDS