Murdo Maclennan, who is a current Crofters’ Commission board member has announced his intention to stand as a candidate for the forthcoming Crofting Commission for the Western Isles constituency area.
Mr Maclennan of Aignish, Point, Lewis, has been an active crofter for 35 years currently keep stock in Aignish and Swordale in Lewis and on the Island of Scarp in Harris.
Mr Maclennan said: “Since details of the election process were published I have been encouraged to stand by a number of crofters and specifically by those who are Assessors throughout the Western Isles.
“I believe this encouragement indicates the confidence that exists in my conduct as commissioner for the Western Isles for the last six years.”
He added: “I have brought the operation and decision making closer to the crofting communities in the islands and secured an office for the Commission in Stornoway which is the only office outside Inverness.
“I have represented the Crofters Commission at the Cross Party Group on Crofting in the Scottish Parliament bringing a specific Western Isles view to their deliberations.”
For the future, Mr Maclennan wants to see more “decentralisation of the administrative function to the islands with the Crofting Commission employing staff in the islands thereby creating quality Civil Service posts hopefully for young crofters and with the possibility of encouraging more Gaelic usage.
“The next year will be critical for the future financial stability of crofting with reforms to the CAP and I have already been in discussions with Parliamentarians in regard to the impact of the present proposals on Western Isles Crofters.
“The new Commission must seek to influence the Scottish Government to raise the assistance available for Crofter Housing and raise the thresholds for the Agriculture Grants scheme.”
Lewis crofter standing for Crofting Commission election 20/1/12