Tory MP's Lack of Contact Over Brexit Letting Down Constituents

The MP representing Banff and Buchan has failed to meet with key UK Government ministers about Brexit for almost a year, new data has revealed.

The revelation comes after the information came to light in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

It showed that despite the Scottish Tory group heading to Westminster proclaiming to be a strong voice for Scotland, they have failed to represent North-East interests on the biggest subject matters of the day.

Tory David Duguid MP, despite representing a huge fishing community, has failed to meet ministers about Brexit since June last year.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The MP for Banff and Buchan David Duguid, hasn’t even bothered to lift a finger and engage with the UK government on the biggest issue of the day, save for a quick photo-op last June, says it all about how useless they are - these arrogant Tories think they can do anything to Scotland and get away with it.

“They’re completely ignored, to the point that Ruth Davidson is left so out of the loop that she proclaims that fishing interests will be protected, just days before the UK government’s sell out – you couldn’t make it up.

“This lack of contact with the UK government’s Brexit department is letting down constituents across the Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

“David Duguid went to Westminster promising to be a strong voice representing Banff and Buchan and Scotland’s interests, yet all they are is lobby fodder for Theresa May’s failing Government.

“You’d have hoped that there might have been something to motivate David Duguid and his colleagues to speak to their bosses about Brexit since last June – from protecting Scotland’s fisheries, supporting single market membership in the wake of the UK government’s own Brexit impact assessment, or raising concerns about the Irish border – but seemingly not.”

Stevenson Presents Clerkhill School with J Rock 1st Prize

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson presented Clerkhill School with first prize on Friday night at the 2018 J Rock event, part of the Global Rock Challenge.

Mr Stevenson is a strong supporter of the Global Rock Challenge and even picked up his own – unexpected – award at the 2003 event for his help in securing funding to allow the event to continue.

The local MSP attended the event, held on Friday night at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, to support local schools taking part, which also saw third and fourth prizes being won by Fraserburgh’s St Andrews School and South Park School respectively, while fifth prize went to a joint entry from Longhaven School with Peterhead’s Burnhaven School.

Commenting on the event, Stewart said:

“I was delighted to be able to attend the J Rock event this year and I was even more pleased that Clerkhill School emerged triumphant at the end of the night and brought first place home to Banffshire & Buchan Coast.

“The performance by the Clerkhill pupils was magnificent and it was clear a lot of hard work had gone into the performance, not to mention the highly colourful costumes.

“Congratulations should go to all the other schools involved in making this event such a spectacular success.”

The Global Rock Challenge and J Rock are exciting opportunities for schools to participate in a dance, drama and design spectacular where the young people are the stars. Teams are asked to create an eight minute performance exploring a theme of their choice.

The Rock Challenge® communicates health and social education messages in a positive and supportive environment.

MP Fails to Dismiss Fears Over Even Longer Transition Period from CFP

Calls have been made for Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid to clarify remarks where he admitted a delay in the transition period for Brexit could extend past the predicted timescale set out by the UK Government.

In an interview with Sky’s Political Editor Faisal Islam, the Scottish Tory was asked whether the predicted departure time from the Common Fisheries Policy could potentially be delayed further.

Now Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has called on Mr Duguid to ensure no further delays will be made as the UK exits the European Union.

During the interview, Sky’s Political Editor said:

“The fear would be if the logic and calculus that has led to this delay, why would it just not occur again in a couple of years’ time?”

Responding, Mr Duguid said:

“That’s a valid concern, I think. Which is why I’m not going to take anything for granted. As MP for Banff and Buchan I have to, we have to, hold everyone to account.”

Scottish Tories, many of whom hold constituencies with a fishing community, had promised they would ensure a nine-month transition period between leaving the EU and the CFP (Common Fisheries Policy).

But earlier this week, the UK Government agreed to adhere to the organisation's CFP, which sets catch quotas and vessel access rules, during the 21-month transition period after the UK formally leaves the bloc next year.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

“The Scottish Conservatives could not stick to their promise of a nine-month transition period and have failed to do as they said for the fishing industry.

“Now it seems Mr Duguid isn’t even sure he can commit to helping deliver the 21-month transition period.

“It is no wonder the fishing industry is up in arms about the betrayal of the Tories. They let the sector down in the 1970s and as predicted they are doing it once again.

“The SNP has never supported the CFP and we stand fully behind the fishermen - who have called for an end to it - only to be used as a bargaining chip.”