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Sir,

 

Having read a letter by Dr Wilson  and Mr. MacNeil’s election address regarding the 5P fuel derogation I just want to add the following comments.

 

The 5P fuel derogation was being highlighted by North of Scotland Liberal Democrat MP’s and MSP’s prior to and during the 2010 election campaign. My understanding was that it pretty much had cross party support throughout the North of Scotland. There is no doubt that during this time Mr. MacNeil was part of the campaign for derogation.

Letter: Lib Dems enacted 5p petrol price discount

15 April 2015

The SNP election address states he helped win the 5p derogation but whilst his contribution was welcome it was no greater than that of Alistair Carmichael, Liam McArthur, Tavish Scott or any other citizen who had put pen to paper. What turned the aspiration of derogation into reality was the Lib/Dems entering into coalition and Danny Alexander, a Highland MP being appointed to the Treasury.

 

For Dr. Wilson to suggest that Danny Alexander, a Highland MP would grudgingly push through this policy because of pressure from Mr MacNeil takes spin close to fiction. It is only because of the Liberal Democrats in coalition that this policy was possible at all.

 

Dr. Wilson brings up the subject of the Lib/Dems and tuition fees, interestingly enough if the Lib/Dems had not changed their minds on this in all probability there wouldn’t have been a coalition and as a consequence no derogation. Manifestos are what political parties wish to do if elected, if they are not elected and have to go into coalition why is anyone surprised that policies fall by the wayside, politics like life is full of compromise. As the SNP have never been in a position to really influence Westminster politics they can pretty much put anything they want in their manifestos however it’s a simple matter to do a quick internet search for SNP Holyrood Manifesto pledges that have never been kept.

 

Gordon Diesel’s campaign against unfair practices is to be applauded but again this issue was highlighted by the fair fuel campaign who had support from cross sections of the community, however I seem to recall that because a Labour stalwart like Calum Iain Macmillan was the driving force there was controversy over the part our MP did or did not play.

 

Ruaraidh Ferguson

Lib Dem candidate

Somerled

Milkinghill

Tong