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Elected politicians “doing nothing” about subsea cable       10/10/14

 

 

Sir,

 

The news that GDF have pulled out of the Beinn Mhor windpower project, citing frustration over delays to a decision about the interconnector, adds to the sense that the entire economic opportunity presented by renewable energy is slipping away from the Western isles and, particularly, the Lewis economy.

 

It becomes ever more relevant to ask what our elected parliamentary politicians have been doing about it or propose to do about it?

 

The role of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is beyond reproach and they are to be congratulated for maintaining a consistent effort to bring the various parties together and to encourage a positive outcome.

 

In contrast, the MP and MSP for the Western Isles remain totally silent and, as far as can be seen, inactive. The Islands' Labour Party has repeatedly asked Angus Brendan MacNeil MP to open his files on the subject in order that his constituents can see exactly what he has done to bring this exceptionally important issue to a successful conclusion. Why does he continue to refuse, if he has nothing to conceal other than indolence and neglect?

 

How often has Mr MacNeil met with Ofgem, the energy regulator? How often has either he or Mr Allan met with SHETL, infrastructure providers who still have not provided Ofgem with a "needs case?"

 

Why has Mr MacNeil never made either a coherent speech in the House of Commons or initiated an adjournment debate on this subject over the past nine years? Why have both men completely failed to keep their constituents informed of what is happening, if indeed they have a clue themselves?

 

It is time for Messrs Allan and MacNeil to come out of hiding and face up to a situation which cries out for political leadership. Blaming everyone else while doing nothing is no longer an option.

 

Matt Bruce

Chair,

Western Isles Labour Party

Achnaha

Garrabost

Isle of Lewis

 

 

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