Whiteford Secures Biggest-Ever Vote in History of Banff & Buchan

PERCENTAGE SHARE IS BIGGEST SINCE 1931

TORY VOTE DOWN ON 2010
Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford secured the biggest-ever vote in the history of the constituency since its creation at Thursday’s election.

Eilidh Whiteford MP with Gordon MP Alex Salmond
and Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine

The SNP candidate polled 27,487 votes, a massive 60.2% of the poll. This surpasses even Alex Salmond’s result in 1997 when he achieved what was then the record of 55.8% of the vote. In fact, you have to go back to the General Election of 1931 in the former constituency of East Aberdeenshire to find a larger percentage share of the vote for any candidate.

The full result in Banff & Buchan was:

Eilidh Whiteford	SNP	27,487	60.2%	(+18.9%)
Alex Johnstone	Con	13,148	28.8%	(-2.0%)
Sumon Hoque	Lab	2,647	5.8%	(-8.2%)
David Evans	LD	2,347	5.1%	(-6.2%)
SNP Majority		14,339	31.4%
Turnout			66.5%	(+5.7%)

Commenting after her re-election, Eilidh said:

“I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence that I have received from the people of Banff & Buchan.

“The results from across Scotland show very clearly that people want Westminster to listen more carefully to their priorities - ending austerity, keeping the NHS public, and delivering substantial more powers for Scotland.

“My job will be to make those voices heard, and to continue to serve the communities that have placed their trust in me.”

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North East Business Leaders Back SNP on Jobs

Six key business leaders in the North East of Scotland have endorsed the campaigns of their local SNP candidates.
These endorsements provide a snapshot of the hundreds of local businessmen and women who backed a Business for Scotland letter putting forward the view that a strong Scottish business economy would provide a substantial boost for jobs.

• Eilidh Whiteford, SNP candidate for Banff and Buchan, has been backed by Jim Gray Sr, founder of manufacturing giants, Gray & Adams Ltd.
• Alex Salmond, SNP candidate for Gordon, has been backed by Paddy Crerar, CEO of Crerar Management Limited, one of the country’s leading independent hotel management companies, who operate Thainstone House Hotel in the Gordon constituency

• Angus Robertson, SNP candidate for Moray, has been backed by Chairman of Elgin-based Springfield Properties, Sandy Adam.
• Stuart Donaldson, SNP candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has been backed by Gordon Henderson, owner of thriving local company Foxlane Garden Centre, who provide vital employment for people with learning disabilities.
• Callum McCaig, SNP candidate for Aberdeen South, has been backed by the owner of the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa and prominent local businessman, Stewart Spence
• Kirsty Blackman, SNP candidate for Aberdeen North, has been backed by Kenny Anderson, Managing Director of Anderson Construction and Cancer Charity Chairman.

Commenting during a visit to Gray and Adams Ltd with Eilidh Whiteford, Alex Salmond, SNP candidate for Gordon, said:

“Right across the North East of Scotland, businessmen and women are backing SNP candidates that they know will support the business community at every turn.

“The austerity agenda of the three Westminster parties is hampering growth and holding businesses back while the impending threat to tear Scotland out of the EU hangs over our companies.

“The SNP has a strong record of supporting North East business and the SNP Government in Scotland has used the powers of devolution to support Scottish business where possible, by measures such as the introduction of the Small Business Bonus which has provided vital support to the small businesses that are important employers and the lifeblood of our communities.

“A strong team of SNP MPs will use our influence at Westminster to build on this record, demanding increased support for Scottish companies and the Scottish economy, to boost competitiveness and support jobs.

“This election is Scotland’s opportunity to stand together like never before and speak with one voice, regardless of what party you supported previously. With businesses and voters increasingly backing the SNP, we must unite together, speaking for the benefit of our business community, to ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard at Westminster and cannot be ignored.”

SNP candidate for Banff and Buchan, Eilidh Whiteford, added:

"I am delighted to have the support of Jim Gray, who built one of the most successful businesses in the North-east and is a major employer here in Banff & Buchan.

“By electing an SNP MP, people in Banff & Buchan can be confident that they will have a strong voice at Westminster fighting for what matters to them - jobs, the NHS and more powers for Scotland.

“It has been a privilege to serve the communities of Banff & Buchan these last 5 years and I hope to continue to have the opportunity to put their aspirations to the top of the Westminster agenda."

Jim Gray Sr, founder of Gray & Adams Ltd., added:

"I am pleased to give my support to Eilidh Whiteford to be re-elected as MP for Banff & Buchan.

“Over the last 5 years, she has proven to be an MP attentive to the needs of local communities and local business and has never shied away from fighting our corner.

“Eilidh grew up in this area and has its best interests at heart. She will be a strong voice for the communities of Banff & Buchan at Westminster, and deserves our support once again."

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Large Turnout for SNP Burns Supper in Fraserburgh

Around 180 guests attended last Saturday night’s Scottish National Party Burns Supper, held at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre. Former First Minister Alex Salmond MSP was guest of honour and proposed the immortal memory.

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford chaired the evening’s proceedings, while Keith & Cullen councillor Gary Coull proposed the Toast to the Lassies, which was replied to by Cllr Pearl Paul, Leader of the SNP Group on Moray Council. Recitations were provided throughout the evening from Kevin Lamb and Sandy Noble gave the Address to the Haggis in fine style.

Commenting, local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I was delighted with the huge turnout, which is testament to the big increase in SNP membership experienced locally. The attendance at the Burns Supper is one of the biggest we’ve had and meant we had to put a limit on the number of tickets we could sell.

“Credit must go to the management and staff at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre for their efficiency on the night and of course the excellent meal they provided.

“The SNP in Banff & Buchan is going from strength to strength thanks to the efforts of our hardworking team of volunteers, which has expanded greatly over the last few months.”

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First Minister Opens 167th New Deer Show

WHITEFORD PRAISES SHOW ORGANISERS ON SUCCESSFUL EVENT
East Aberdeenshire MSP and First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened the annual New Deer Show at the weekend and announced £17,500 Scottish Government funding to support the staging of the event in the Year of Homecoming.

The event was also attended by Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford, who praised the organisers on another excellent show, despite some inclement weather on the Saturday morning.

During his opening remarks, Mr Salmond went on to praise rural events such as the New Deer Show for the role they play in enriching community spirit and supporting local businesses, such as the regional food and drink sector.

Alex Salmond said:

“The New Deer Show is a much loved and eagerly anticipated local event that the whole wider community loyally turn up for year in year out and thoroughly enjoy. The competition element – be it best of class, shearing, or the young farmers’ programme – not only encourages healthy rivalry but more importantly, a sense of community solidarity.

“Rural events the length and breadth of Scotland are the jewel in the Year of Homecoming crown, the unsung heroes promoting our heritage and traditional way of life. They also support many regional business who come along to sell their produce, such as our exceptional local food and drink entrepreneurs. That is why the Scottish Government has granted New Deer £17,500 to help stage the 2014 event.

“More specifically, as part of the Homecoming 2014 programme, we have also allocated up to £250,000 to enhance the food and drink element at a number of events across the year. Our magnificent natural larder continues to attract huge interest abroad and helps to market Scotland to the world as a Land of Food and Drink - an important ingredient as we encourage people to celebrate their Scottish heritage during Homecoming.

"Our local communities play an integral part in the food and drink industry and it’s great to be able to support them by bringing events to their areas. This is especially important as we look ahead to our 2015 Year of Food & Drink when we will build on the activity taking place during the Homecoming Year to spotlight, celebrate and promote Scotland’s quality produce to our people and visitors alike.”

Local MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“New Deer Show is a great local event with a long tradition. It is one of the highlights of the North-east calendar and attracts a huge crowd.

“I’m delighted for Drew Wilson and his committee that year’s show was a great success once again and that a short cloudburst on the Saturday morning didn’t last long and certainly didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd.”

Drew Wilson, New Deer Show President, said:

"2014 is the 167th year of the New Deer Show and we have the very best of the region on display here this weekend. Aberdeenshire produces some of the finest livestock in Scotland that is enjoyed both locally and internationally - from farm to fork.

"There is huge community support for the New Deer Show and the funding from the Scottish Government will help us make it even better.

"We're not even finished with the 2014 programme yet but we're already thinking ahead to 2015 and the Year of Food and Drink - and where better to showcase Aberdeenshire's excellent produce than right here at the New Deer Show."

As well as showcasing the best of Scottish produce at the events, the £250,000 fund is providing event organisers with expert support in developing their food and drink offering through a series of one-to-one sessions and workshops, delivered by food and drink consultants, Experiencing Scotland.

These workshops, took place in Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh, will ensure organisers benefit from expert advice and ideas for including fresh, local and seasonal produce from quality Scottish suppliers.

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SNP Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Henderson's Historic Win

Over 100 SNP members and supporters gathered in the Palace Hotel, Peterhead, last Friday at a special event held by Peterhead Branch of the SNP commemorating the 40th anniversary of Douglas Henderson gaining the old East Aberdeenshire constituency from the Conservatives to become the area’s first ever SNP MP at the election on 28 February 1974.

Guest speakers at the event were First Minister Alex Salmond, local MSP Stewart Stevenson and Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford. Also attending the event was Alex Farquhar, who was the SNP candidate in the 1970 General Election who made the seat winnable by attracting 30% of the vote and over 9,000 votes in what was the SNP’s best showing in the North-east at that time.

Peterhead Branch SNP President, Bob Ritchie, who was the party’s election agent in the 1960s and 1970s regaled the audience with tales from those early elections, including one where a lost election deposit in 1964 had to be financed with a bank loan, backed up by twenty guarantors at the insistence of the bank. And all for the princely sum of £200!

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“We owe a great debt to Bob Ritchie, Alex Farquhar and the late Douglas Henderson, who could see Scotland’s potential and worked so hard over decades to improve the prospects of people in this area.

“I still get constituents coming to me who remember Douglas Henderson fondly, not only as a hard-working constituency MP but also as a very genuine person. His loss, in 2006, was sorely felt but his legacy lives on and I know he would have been playing a full and active part in the current Referendum campaign had he still been with us.”

Stewart Stevenson MSP added:

“This was a very timely event with the Referendum only 200 days away. It was useful to pause and reflect on the support given by the people of the North-east over the past 40 years which has helped us get to this position in our nation’s history.

“If we are to make the country we all Scotland believe it can be, we need personal tax powers, business tax powers, social security powers, employment powers, powers over Scotland’s budget, powers over the minimum wage, immigration powers and the powers to represent Scotland internationally. In other words, the same toolbox of powers that other independent countries take for granted.”

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Secure Future for New Pitsligo Bakery Welcomed by MP & MSP

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford and Aberdeenshire East MSP Alex Salmond have welcomed confirmation that a deal has been struck which will secure the future of a vital Central Buchan business.

Fraserburgh Development Trust have concluded arrangements to buy the long-established New Pitsligo bakery business John Smith & Sons. The family business was established in 1903 and employs 25 people locally.

The Trust has been working with John Smith, of John Smith & Sons, to conclude a deal that would mean the bakery would operate as a Social Firm, which means that any surplus generated will go towards building the business and developing future training and employment opportunities.

Commenting, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“John Smith & Sons is a major employer in New Pitsligo and this announcement means that not only are the jobs there secure but the proud tradition of baking in New Pitsligo which has been on the go for over 100 years can continue.

“This will be an exciting venture for the firm, for Fraserburgh Development Trust and for the village as it will involve a move to new, purpose-built premises and a change in how the bakery operates, while maintaining employment and the products which have proved so popular for generations.”

Aberdeenshire East MSP Alex Salmond added:

“John Smith & Sons bakery is a pillar of the community in New Pitsligo. As the single largest employer in the village, and supplier to many rural shops in the North-east, it is vital to the local economy.”

“I am delighted that the brand will continue; that jobs will be maintained; and that a focus on tradition, training, and progress is being pursued. I hope that the Fraserburgh Development Trust will continue to be successful as it pursues further funding.”

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Scotland's Future on Agenda for Fyvie Farmers

Alex Salmond joined 30 farmers from his constituency last night (Monday 2 December) as a special guest at this month’s Fyvie Farmers’ Discussion Group.

Mr Salmond was invited to speak at the Vale Hotel meeting about his life in politics and the opportunities for Scotland’s farming sector in voting for independence next September. A question and answer session followed, with much interest surrounding the recently published White Paper: Scotland’s Future. The group also had particular questions about the challenges and opportunities facing the farming industry of the North East.

Mr Salmond commented:

“I was delighted to be invited to speak to the Fyvie Farmers last night at the Vale Hotel.

“The group – who meet regularly for discussions on a range of subjects – made me feel very welcome indeed. There were some great questions on farming issues, such as CAP funding, and the opportunities for Scottish farming and our country more widely following a vote for independence.”

Monday night’s meeting begins a week of engagement between SNP elected members and North East rural communities. Farmers and those involved or interested in agricultural industries will have the opportunity to put their questions on farming and independence to MEP Alyn Smith and Banff and Buchan MP, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, at events later this week.

The “Question Time” discussions will be held on Friday 6 December in Buckley’s at Deveron Country House Turriff at 7pm and at 10am on Saturday 7 December in the Public Hall, New Deer. Alyn Smith is a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and Dr Whiteford is the SNP’s agriculture spokesperson at Westminster.

Commenting in advance of the Q&A events, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I’m very pleased to welcome Alyn Smith to Buchan. Alyn is widely-acknowledged as Scottish farming’s voice in Europe and has been recognised for his work with the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Agriculture’ award from a national farming magazine.

“It’s also a very timely event having just recently met with the NFUS both locally and in Westminster on the issue of CAP convergence payments for Scottish farmers which the UK Government has shamefully appropriated and spread around the entire UK instead of passing it on to the Scottish industry, which was the intended purpose of the money.”

Alyn Smith MEP added:

“I’m delighted to be coming to Buchan so soon after the launch of the Independence White Paper to help explain how Scotland having control of its own affairs will benefit Scottish farming and I look forward to meeting with local farmers.”

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Local MP & MSPs to Visit New Deer Show

A previous New Deer Show

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford, East Aberdeenshire MSP Alex Salmond and Scotland’s newest MSP, North-east regional member Christian Allard will be supporting New Deer Show on Saturday. The SNP parliamentarians will be meeting constituents and touring the livestock lines and trade stands at this weekend’s event.

Commenting, Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

"There is a tremendous amount of work goes into planning a successful show like New Deer and the Show President, Secretary and Committee deserve our thanks for pulling together what promises to be another excellent showcase for the best of Buchan and North-east livestock.”

East Aberdeenshire MSP Alex Salmond commented:

“I’m really looking forward to the New Deer Show. It’s an event I’ve had the great privilege to attend for many years now and each show seems to get bigger and better than the last.

“New Deer maintains the highest standards of a traditional agricultural show, with fantastic local produce on offer and plenty of activities to keep the kids amused too.

“With the great weather set to continue through the weekend, be sure to head for New Deer Show – one of the absolute highlights of Scotland’s rural calendar.”

North-east regional MSP Christian Allard added:

“Shows and Highland Games are great opportunities for parliamentarians like me to meet constituents from the North-east’s rural communities. They also showcase what Rural Scotland has to offer.”

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SNP Office Moves To New Premises In Peterhead

After nearly quarter of a century, the SNP Constituency Office which has served as a base for the area’s Parliamentarians is moving home.

The office, based in Maiden Street, has moved to more modern, serviced accommodation at Peterhead’s Burnside Business Centre, just off South Road. The move has been welcomed by staff and Parliamentarians as it will mean a more professional environment for dealing with constituency casework and meeting with constituents.

Commenting, Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said:

“I’m delighted we have secured new premises at the Enterprise North-east Burnside Business Centre.

“Maiden Street has been my base for over ten years and we have steadily been reaching the point where our office accommodation there has become less and less suitable both in terms of workspace and the environment needed to work with modern IT equipment.

“My staff and I look forward to welcoming constituents to our new premises.”

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford said:

“This move will allow Stewart and myself to work together more effectively. We already share some staff and resources and sharing the same building will lead to greater efficiencies.

“In addition, I’m pleased to announce that the public opening hours of both offices will be extended by an extra ten hours per week in order to increase our availability to constituents.

Peterhead South & Cruden councillor and Office Manager Stephen Smith has worked in the Maiden Street office since 1996. Reflecting on the volume of casework dealt with since the office opened in 1987, he said:

“17 Maiden Street has been the Constituency Office since 1987 and during that time thousands of cases and issues have been dealt with here.

“I did a rough estimate recently of the volumes of mail sent out from the office during the last 24 years based on the weekly average and it was staggering, it was over 370,000 with the figure for inward mail not far behind.”

Many of the staff who have worked in Maiden Street have gone on to much greater things. Former Office Manager, Richard Lochhead, is now in his second term as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Fisheries in a majority SNP Government. The first Office Manager, Peter Murrell, is now Chief Executive of the SNP.

Minister for Learning & Skills and Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan had two spells working in Peterhead while newly-elected Regional MSP for Glasgow Humza Yousaf spent a summer working in Maiden Street getting political experience which stood him in good stead for his new role.

Cllr Smith explained:

“The experience gained working in the Peterhead Office meant that we were never short of applications from people who wanted to work for Alex Salmond or Stewart Stevenson or serve an internship.”

He continued:

“The range of issues dealt with in the normal course of a week in Maiden Street was staggering.

“A lot of the issues people seek assistance with are what you would expect, such as housing and benefits. Benefits in particular is a difficult issue at the moment because of the changes being introduced by the Tory Government in London. In that respect, I suppose things haven’t changed a lot since the Constituency Office opened in 1987 as we had a Tory Government then too which seemed intent on punishing the most vulnerable sections of society.

“I always say however that you are can never be sure who is going to phone or come through the door or what issue you will have to deal with next.

“Trying to save factories from closure is not something that most MPs will tackle, probably through fear of being associated with failure. With Alex Salmond however, we found ourselves doing exactly that and, against the odds more often than not, managing to get a result.

“For example, Buchan Meat in Turriff went under just at the time when the public were getting concerned about BSE and the meat industry was facing a crisis. The prospect of saving the factory, let alone persuading anyone to take it over looked remote. But through working with the employees and trades unions, as well as highlighting the plight of the factory in the House of Commons, we ended up with two or three companies bidding to take over Buchan Meat with Kepak ultimately being successful. Today, Buchan Meat continues in Turriff in the shape of Woodhead Bros who supply Morrisons Supermarkets.

“The Simmers of Hatton factory is another good example of how local jobs were saved through tough negotiating with a multinational firm which allowed a local company to step in.

“The Sapphire Campaign, which resulted in the bodies of the four crew members lost at sea being returned to their families for Christian burial is also something that I will never forget. It was very humbling to be a part of that and to help the bereaved families achieve their dearest wish.

“Maiden Street was also the nerve centre of various political campaigns as well, including both of Alex’s leadership elections in 1990 and 2004, and the 2001 by-election which saw Stewart Stevenson elected as local MSP. There’s quite a bit of history been made within that building.

“But we’ve really outgrown the building and it no longer serves our needs. We’re looking forward to working in more modern accommodation at Burnside Business Centre which will allow us to deliver an efficient service to constituents in a better working environment.”

Contact details for Stewart Stevenson MSP and Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP are as follows:

Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast
Unit 8 Burnside Business Centre
Burnside Road
Peterhead AB42 3AW
Tel. 01779 470444
Fax. 01779 822025
E-mail: msp@stewartstevenson.net
Office Hours: Mon-Fri; 9.00am to 5.00pm

Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff & Buchan
Unit 7 Burnside Business Centre
Burnside Road
Peterhead AB42 3AW
Tel. 01779 822022
Fax. 01779 822025
E-mail: eilidh.whiteford.mp@parliament.uk
Office Hours: Mon-Fri; 9.00am to 5.00pm

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