Tories Continue to Argue for Less Fisheries Funds for Scotland

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has joined other SNP MSPs in stating that Scotland’s fishing communities would be better off in an independent Scotland.

This was a response Tory MSP’s Jamie McGrigor’s statement at General Questions in the Scottish Parliament arguing that it would be wrong for fishing communities in Scotland to receive more money from the UK’s share of the European Fisheries Fund. It follows comments from newly-elected Tory MEP Ian Duncan that the Scottish fishing industry is too successful to require additional support.

Currently Scotland receives only 40 per cent of the UK share of the EU fisheries Fund, despite landing more than 80 per cent of fish caught in UK waters.

Mr Stevenson said:

“These comments from Jamie McGrigor are an insult to fishing communities across Scotland including those around my constituency of the Banffshire and Buchan Coast. That Mr McGrigor would rather defend Westminster’s failings than stand up for Scotland’s fishing industry speaks volumes about where his priorities lie.

“The fact is that Scotland’s fishing industry has been badly let down by Westminster. We currently receive the second lowest fish catch funding per tonne in the EU, with just 40 per cent of the UK’s share of the European Fisheries Fund despite landing more than 80 per cent of fish caught in UK waters.

“After a Yes vote Scotland will have our own seat at the top table in Europe – allowing us to speak up for our fishing industry not talk it down and get a better deal for Scotland’s fishing communities – rather than leaving it up to a distant Westminster government which simply doesn’t represent Scotland’s interests.”

Information from the Scottish Parliament Library also shows that Scotland gets a raw deal from the European Fisheries Fund as part of the UK, receiving the second lowest amount per tonne of average fish catch.

Stevenson Urges Locals to Have Their Say on Scotland's Constitution

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast has today (Monday) urged locals in his constituency to have their say on a draft Bill which will set out how an independent Scotland will be governed.

The Scottish Independence Bill is now open for public consultation until October 20, and sets out immediate arrangements for independence, such as the role of government, human rights and the rule of law, and would form the interim written constitution. The fundamental principle underpinning the Bill is that the people are sovereign, rather than Parliament, as is the case in the UK.

Mr Stevenson said:

“The debate about Scotland’s future is engaging and enthusing people across Banffshire and the Buchan Coast. It is an intensely practical debate about how independence can improve the lives of people in Scotland.

“Currently we don’t have a written constitution, and the UK is the only country within the European Union or the Commonwealth that does not have a written constitution or a Constitution Act.”

The interim constitution proposes advancement towards nuclear disarmament, the strengthening of human rights protection, the safeguarding of the well-being of children and protection for the particular needs of local government and island communities.

Mr Stevenson added:

“In the Yes campaign we believe that the Scottish people should be sovereign, rather than our parliament. We also believe that principle should be written into the basic building blocks of an independent Scotland, the constitution which will underpin what our country is like and how it protects and empowers its citizens.

“This is a very exciting time and I would encourage everyone to have their say on the Bill. It is an exciting and unique opportunity to shape our nation, celebrate and protect our values and commit ourselves to building a better country.”

To view the consultation, go to:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2014/06/7881.

Stevenson Announces Annual Surgery Tour

Banffshire & Buchan Coast SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson has announced details of his forthcoming surgery tour of local communities which commences on Monday 16 June.

This year will be the fourteenth such tour that Mr Stevenson has undertaken, covering 37 communities from Rothiemay in the far west to Boddam at the south-eastern end of the constituency and inland to Aberchirder, New Byth and Memsie.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

"The annual surgery tour with my mobile office is always extremely enjoyable and I think also that people appreciate having their MSP come to their own community rather than having to go to one of my 'static' surgeries in a nearby town or village.

"Even in this age of electronic communications, people still value being able to have face-to-face contact with their elected representatives, which is important. It also gets me into some of our smaller communities which I may otherwise not have reason to visit during the course of a year."

The full schedule can be seen at http://stewartstevensonmsp.info