Sir,
Donald S Murray has referred (Letters 9th April) to the SNP candidate Angus MacNeil as a "superhero." I am sure that Mr MacNeil values his support.
Mr MacNeil is officially the most hardworking MP in Scotland. He has written to government ministers on frequent occasions since he was first elected in 2005 requesting a 5p a litre derogation to the price of petrol. In 2010, for example, he was even howled down by Labour and Tory MPs when he raised the issue in the Commons.
The idea was then hijacked by the Liberal Democrat Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander who, following the 2010 election, showed little sign of keeping his promise. The Liberal Democrats have form on making promises (tuition fees!) and then tearing them up after winning an election. Only after Mr Alexander was constantly reminded by Mr MacNeil of his broken promise was the policy grudgingly enacted.
This knocked 5p a litre off the price of petrol. No-
A further 5p was knocked off when Gordon Diesel, with Mr MacNeil's assistance, exposed the restrictive practices imposed by the oil companies on island filling stations. Every time a Western Isles’ motorist fills his tank, he saves up to £7 thanks to Angus MacNeil and Gordon Diesel.
Little wonder Mr Murray refers to our Member of Parliament as a "superhero."
Dr David Wilson
Press Officer, SNP Lewis Branch
12b Tolsta Chaolais
Isle of Lewis
Letter: MacNeil “cutting petrol prices” for islanders
11 April 2015