Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Lib Dems accused of roads hypocrisy by SNP MSP

Recently the Gurnmeister pointed out (gently) that there hadn't been any articles on the Lib Dem Nairn By-pass blog for some time now. Anyway, it is obvious that roads will be one of the main battlegrounds of the next Holyrood election, does that mean we will get a by-pass any quicker? Who knows, anyway the Gurnmeister must confess that he has quite a lot of admiration for the political skills and achievements of Dave Thompson MSP


Referring to an article published yesterday (Monday) in the Press & Journal, Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Dave Thompson has published research demonstrating the Liberal Democrat's policy on roads is a chaotic mess, with local demands for roads improvements contradicting the party’s national policy of cutting roads funding.
Mr Thompson listed the LibDems' position on transport funding and roads which contradicts what they are telling voters at a local level:
A Liberal Democrat policy signed by LibDem Scottish leader Tavish Scott says they will take investment away from roads:
"We believe that building more roads and runways will not tackle congestion. We would invest in a proper public transport system, taxing lorries and domestic flights to invest in high speed rail."
The LibDems have stated that they will cut 90% of all major road projects as part of their UK 4p income tax policy which will see cuts of £20 billion across the UK
Tavish Scott says the Lib Dems will cut infrastructure projects, such as road building, as part of their Scottish 2p income tax policy which will see cuts of £800 million across Scotland
Liberal Democrat MSPs voted for the £500 million Edinburgh tram project - diverting funds from projects in the Highlands and other parts of Scotland
Liberal Democrats want to charge for usage of all motorways and trunk roads - a scheme supported by LibDems' Scottish leader Tavish Scott.
Yet at the same time LibDems at a local level are demanding immediate or increased funding in roads projects which directly contradicts the policies they have and would enact if they were in power.
Commenting on the chaotic policy Mr Thompson said:
"After eight years in power with Labour the LibDems delivered little in terms of major road projects and what was announced was subject to delay, dither and incompetence under two LibDem Transport Ministers!
"The London LibDems did nothing on transport when they were propping up Labour for eight years in government, showing that a LibDem vote is a Labour vote and nothing more.
"In contrast, it is the SNP who are bringing forward an unprecedented number of plans to improve road transport across Scotland after only two years in office. Just yesterday our Transport Minister opened the new lanes on the A9 Inverness to Perth road at Carrbridge.
"Not content with diverting valuable cash - which could have been used for other transport schemes - to an Edinburgh project that even people in Edinburgh don't want, the LibDems in Holyrood and Westminster want to cut the funds and stop roads.
“We even have LibDems bidding against each other with Danny Alexander MP wanting money to be taken away from the new Forth Crossing whilst Fife LibDem MSP Jim Tolson supports it.
"A raft of LibDem MPs and MSPs have some questions to answer about why they are trying to hide their policies from people locally whilst boasting about them in Edinburgh and London.
“It's time the LibDems told the truth to people across Scotland about their policy on roads and recognised the damaging impact they would have on the economy."

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a good idea - heaven forbid that the Highlands should have relatively easy access to London by air. Obviously full day train journeys would be good for Scottish business!!

- Brian

Anonymous said...

‘heaven forbid that the Highlands should have relatively easy access to London by air’

The Highlands already has relatively easy access to London by air, check out Inverness Airport, and don't forget the likes of Wick and airports on the islands

'Obviously full day train journeys would be good for Scottish business'

It might not seem obvious but it would be very good for the environment as well as business.
The Chief Scientific Officer for Scotland has stated that trains should be used for transport for internal journeys and not planes

Not all Scottish business is dependant upon trips to and from London

Anonymous said...

"The Highlands already has relatively easy access to London by air"

Indeed, I was being sarcastic - not sure which smiley I should have used. :)

I have to go to London periodically, and at present I can fly there , meet, and be back in a single day (if I don't miss my connections!).

The suggestion that I should consider a train to London would be ridiculous - I still have a business to run! It would not be good for business to have to do that!

- Brian

Anonymous said...

There is a train sleeper service between Inverness and London that means you can be in London for a whole day without being away from your business for much longer than the plane journey (Sleeper travels overnight).
The big difference is that you would be helping the planet, which in turn would be helping your business and the rest of us.
The world cannot keep using fuel at the current rate and everyone should take responsibility and do their bit rather than make excuses

Jane Harkiss said...

Nony Mouse, are you the one that's droning on about Camden? Camden?!!! Come on! That is so a nasty, touristy and lame part of London. Clearly you are not from the big 'shit hole'. There are too many mice on this bloggie thingy. I grew up in the pit that is dear ol Landan tarn. And I hope to god I never have to go back. Unless of course, I am paid to. But that ain't gonna happen. So.....
Yipeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xx

Jane Harkiss said...

Pookie speaks the truth. However, Pookie is somewhat wearied by 'it all' at the moment. Not for her the 'rehab', more like just, fucking, get yersell tae...