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Sir,

 

Open any promotional brochure for Scotland and you will undoubtedly see images of the beautiful Western Isles. From the standing stones, glorious beaches and postcard images of the plane landing on the Traigh Mhòr, our islands are a marketing dream, and the Scottish government take great delight in using the images to promote their vision. Yet, the way of life of the people who live here is under attack from a government who are pursuing a centralising agenda with a focus on austerity.

 

Letter: Western Isles way of life "under attack" by SNP

 

30 April 2016  

I am not aware of Nicola Sturgeon visiting the islands in this campaign, or indeed the last. Rumours have abounded that she was going to drop in, but at the point of writing there is no evidence of this. Perhaps the idea of having to look people in the eye as she explained why she is hawking off our ferry services to the highest bidder didn’t appeal. I don’t blame her. Arguments will rage about European law but the fact of the matter is the Scottish Government didn’t even bother going to Europe to make the case. I would have expected them to be banging at every door in Brussels; but no, they didn’t. No high powered delegation, no task force, no nothing.

 

In fact, we have good reason to feel hard done by in other areas. Try running a business from the islands that requires travel to the mainland – and let’s be clear, most businesses do. The removal of work related travel from the ADS has resulted in additional costs on businesses which are already stretched as they try to survive. A visit to Lochboisdale or Stornoway provides a clear picture on the state of our local economy. Empty shops with no clear vision on how to address this. Adding additional cost burdens on small businesses probably isn’t going to help.

 

Ah, but they will quickly blame the local authority, the favourite whipping boy when the Scottish Government is seeking to avoid responsibility. I am the first to acknowledge that some of the practices in local government need to change. However, can we really blame them when over the last nine years they have been squeezed to a point of no return? The much lauded council tax freeze may have saved people a few quid but the consequences have been dire. Cut care services to the elderly and reduce care for our vulnerable young people: two of the awful choices at the recent council cuts consultation. This isn’t the islands where I was brought up, where our young were cherished and our elderly respected.

 

In government difficult decisions have to be made, I fully understand that. I just wish someone was shouting up for the islands when the decisions are being taken. That is the job of our MSP but I can’t see much evidence of this. I have heard him say that as a government minister he can’t give an opinion though. Perhaps, if being a minister is affecting your ability to shout for the islands then you should relinquish the position? Particularly as there is little evidence to suggest our islands are benefiting from your dual role.

 

Our islands need and deserve better.

 

Ealasaid MacDonald

Arnabhal

18 Benside

Isle of Lewis