LONDON GOVERNMENT BETRAYAL OF SCOTTISH FISHING INDUSTRY CONDEMNED

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson and SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford have condemned the position of the UK Government after it issued advice to all UK MEPs arguing that allocating traditional fishing rights to communities "stifles innovative business and the ability to adapt to climate change".

Fishing rights are currently allocated under the principle of relative stability, whereby there is a clear link between individual fishing nations and the waters and stocks they are allowed to fish.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

"The UK Government's revealed position on this is staggering and is quite simply an unacceptable betrayal of an industry that has been facing difficulty for a long time now.

"At a time when everyone involved in Scotland's fishing industry is calling for regional control of fishing rights to be at the heart of coming reforms to the CFP, for the UK Government to take this position only goes to show what little regard they have for the people who put fish on our tables."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford commented:

"The London parties have long regarded the fishing industry as expendable and these latest revelations show that their ridiculous attitudes have not changed. For the UK Government to claim that historic fishing rights stifles innovation clearly shows their ignorance of the fact that the Scottish fishing fleet is at the cutting edge of developing new measures to increase sustainability.

"People in Banff & Buchan will be justifiably outraged at the UK Government's stance and there could scarcely be a clearer demonstration of the pressing need for Scotland to speak with its own voice in Europe through having the normal powers of an independent country."

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SCOTTISH OIL RESERVES HIGHER THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT

LONDON POLITICIANS MUST WAKE UP TO IMPORTANCE OF SCOTTISH OIL FUND
Commenting on the survey by the offshore industry association, Oil and Gas UK, which finds that North Sea oil and gas reserves are higher than previously thought, SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford said that future revenues from oil should be invested for Scotland's future.

Dr Whiteford warned that the lessons of the 1970's, when London politicians claimed the reserves would not last long, must be remembered and makes the case for the establishment of an oil fund to secure the benefits of oil revenues for future generations even more important.

Commenting Eilidh Whiteford said:

"Scotland's oil and gas industry is the only thing keeping the London Treasury afloat - over the next six years, £50 billion worth of North Sea revenues will flow to the London exchequer.

"For Banff & Buchan alone that represents £740million over the next six years.

"The London politicians must not think it they can fool the people of Scotland again.

"This survey underlines how there is a strong economic future for Scotland's oil industry and the jobs associated with it here in the North-east.

"There is a real sense of déjà vu. We have London Labour politicians at the Scotland Office claiming that oil revenues would not help an independent Scotland despite the fact that even their own dodgy figures show Scotland in a better financial position.

"There is as much oil left in the North Sea as has been taken out of it - and much more than half of the revenues. Scotland's oil industry has a positive future. With the UK making billions in revenue from North Sea oil over the last 30 years, it is now time to ensure that future revenues are invested properly for Scotland's future.

"In the 1970's requests for an oil fund were turned down - a repetition of this failure by Labour in the 21st century would be unforgivable.

"The UK Government must see the error of its ways and enable Scotland to invest our own oil revenues for our future.

"Scotland needs more SNP MPs at Westminster to champion Scotland's interests and fight for Scotland's oil wealth to benefit local communities - not prop up the London Treasury. Only SNP MPs will fight for a fairer share of Scotland's oil revenues."

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LOCAL YOUTH CHOIR 'INSPIRE' OVERSEAS DIPLOMATS

BANFFSHIRE GROUP PERFORM AT FIRST MINISTER'S CONSULAR RECEPTION AT EDINBURGH CASTLE

A choir of young people from Banffshire performed at Edinburgh Castle last night in front of Scotland's Consular Corps, representing around 50 countries.

Banff & Buchan MP and First Minister Alex Salmond invited the Inspire Choir to travel to the capital after they performed at the official launch of his 2009 Christmas Card at Duff House, Banff.

Mr Salmond said:

"I'm delighted that the young people in the Inspire Choir agreed to perform at Edinburgh Castle for this special event. The Inspire Choir lives up to its name and I'm sure that all of the Consular representatives will enjoy the performance as much as those of us who heard them at Duff House did."

Inspire Choir's musical director Hannah McGinlay, 20, said:

"We were really excited to be invited to Edinburgh to sing at the Castle for the reception hosted by the First Minister. We hope that everybody enjoys our performance."

Background:

55 countries are represented in the Scottish Consular Corps, from full diplomatic consulates to honorary consulates.

Led by Ms McGinlay and choir director Hugh Johnstone, 19, Inspire Choir is a group of 8-to 18-year-olds who have sung at more than 50 local concerts, as well as performing in Paris and singing with Keith Jack, runner-up in BBC's Any Dream Will Do. They performed at the unveiling of the Gerard Burns painting featured on the First Minister's 2009 Christmas Card - the sale of which will support four charities, CLIC Sargent, Glasgow the Caring City, J-A-C-K Foundation and Mary's Meals.

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WHITEFORD HEARS OF ST COMBS ISSUES AND PRAISES COMMUNITY SPIRIT

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford has praised the community spirit of St Combs following a series of visits and meetings in the village.
Dr Whiteford paid a visit to the village Post Office where she met with sub-postmistress Ann Pirie and local residents. The Post Office will close in its present location in April due to the retirement of Ann and it is understood that several local businesses are expressing interest in taking on the running of the lifeline facility.

The SNP candidate also attended the consultation on the proposed replacement for St Combs Community Hall which was destroyed by fire last year which was held in the St Combs Kirkie.

Speaking afterwards, Eilidh Whiteford commented:

"Village halls and Post Offices are the cornerstones of many of our smaller communities. To lose the community hall due to vandalism was a huge blow and one from which some communities may not have recovered.

"However, it was clear to me from the first public meeting I attended in St Combs after the fire that this was a village with an extremely strong sense of community spirit. That was in evidence again on Saturday at the public consultation on the proposals for a replacement hall held in the Kirkie. There are some very positive proposals being put forward and the hall committee are to be commended for involving the entire community in this way.

"Similarly, with the impending retirement of Ann as the village postmistress, I was delighted to hear from local residents that other local businesses have expressed an interest in providing the lifeline Post Office service.

"I will be contacting Post Office management to ensure that the village does not suffer any undue delays while the new Post Office service is being worked up."

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