Highland MP Danny Alexander has welcomed today's 'codeshare' agreement between Flybe and Aer Lingus making it easier for passengers from Inverness Airport to travel to the United States.

The arrangement means that flights can now be made with a single ticket via a single stop in Dublin. Dublin Airport provides US Customs pre-clearance meaning that passengers would arrive in the United States as "domestic passengers".

Passengers are then able to proceed straight through to the arrivals hall at their eventual destinations, bypassing US Customs and Immigration queues.

Mr Alexander said this announcement is further evidence to show that the terminal at Inverness Airport should be upgraded and urged the SNP government in Edinburgh to release the funds necessary.

Mr Alexander said: "Expanding routes and more passengers means greater investment in Inverness Airport is vital if we are to keep pace with demand."

"Today's announcement shows that Inverness Airport in increasingly a vital transport and investment hub for the Highlands.

"The ‘codeshare' agreement between Flybe and Aer Lingus will make travelling to the United States easier for passengers, whether for business or pleasure.

"This will only encourage more passengers to travel from Inverness. It adds more weight to my call for the SNP government in Edinburgh to release funds for the upgrade of the terminal building at Inverness Airport."

Ends

Highland MP Danny Alexander has written to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urging the SNP government to release funds to upgrade the terminal building at Inverness Airport.

Last year, a multi-million pound upgrade of the runway and taxiway was completed as passenger numbers increased by 1.3%, the airports best performance for five years. This year, new routes to London City and Dublin have taken off, and there is growing demand for key domestic and international hubs, including Manchester, Birmingham, London Gatwick and Amsterdam.

Despite this, investment on the terminal building has stalled. It is often overcrowded at busy times and urgently needs to be upgraded to keep pace with the growing demand for flights.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport received £7million for repairs and improvements in June, with a further £10million set to announced as part of Scottish Government budget plans for next year. Mr Alexander is determined that this important transport and investment hub for the Highlands is not put at a competitive disadvantage.

Mr Alexander said: "Inverness airport is absolutely crucial to the growth of the Highland economy. With passenger numbers growing, new routes on offer, and as a vital investment hub for the Highlands, Inverness Airport deserves funds to upgrade the terminal.

"We have to ensure that the Airport can keep up with demand and too often at peak times the terminal building and its car parks are overcrowded and in need of investment. There is standing room only in the terminal at busy times. The airport have put several proposals for investment forward over the years, and that funding is needed now.

"The SNP government in Edinburgh is keen to support central belt airports, including releasing millions of pounds to support Glasgow Prestwick Airport. I think the success of Inverness Airport over recent years should be rewarded and I've written to Nicola Sturgeon asking her to support the upgrade of the terminal building. Passengers don't pay APD on flights from Inverness, the management do a great job running the airport and attracting new routes, so the only barrier to further growth is Scottish government investment.

"Only with continued investment can Inverness continue to be a key growth point for the Highland economy and cater for passengers who fly from the north."

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Several constituents have contacted Mr Alexander concerned by high speed driving on the B9152 between Kingussie and Aviemore and the A938 between Carrbridge and the Slochd. It is thought that several drivers are using the B-roads as ‘rat runs' in an effort to avoid the cameras.

Mr Alexander campaigned to stop the cameras which were opposed by thousands of Highlanders. Despite calls for the SNP government in Edinburgh to let alternative measures, like improved signage, increased police presence at accident blackspots, and safe overtaking campaigns to make an impact on the safety of the road, the SNP government refused to back down.

Commenting, Mr Alexander said: "Now that the SNP government in Edinburgh has turned on the cameras, against the wishes of most Highlanders, I want to know what they plan to do about the consequences of their ill thought through policy for communities on the B-roads that run alongside the A9.

"Many constituents have contacted me saying routes like the A938 and the B9152 are being used by some drivers to avoid the yellow vultures on the A9. These vehicles are reported to be driving at high speeds and on routes that are used for access to communities in the Strath, causing real risks and dangers in those places. These are local roads, used to serve local communities, that risk being turned into high speed 'rat runs' thanks to the speed cameras.

"The SNP failed to listen to Highlanders before the cameras went live. I hope SNP Ministers in Edinburgh listen to the experience of Highlanders now we have to live with them every day.

"The correct response would be for nationalist ministers to stop the speed cameras immediately, and get on with dualling the A9 as quickly as possible. Their lethargic progress on dualling is letting the Highlands down. Fast traffic on local roads is just one of the dangers posed by the speed cameras which we local people warned about in advance. I hope Nicola Sturgeon, Keith Brown, and their colleagues will show they can listen for once."

ENDS

Danny Alexander and the Highland Liberal Democrats have welcomed Cllr Carolyn Caddick as their prospective candidate for Inverness & Nairn for the Scottish Parliamentary election in 2016.

As a Lib Dem councillor for South Inverness and manager at Lifescan, Carolyn Caddick has a long record of serving the people of the Highlands.

Carolyn, originally from Aviemore, has been involved in the community and lived in Inverness with her family for most of her life. She was also an officer in the army for twenty years, and has served as veterans Champion on the Highland Council.

Mr Alexander said: "Carolyn will be a fantastic MSP for the Highlands. She works very hard for the people of South Inverness on the Highland Council, and has a long record of serving our community and the country.

"If Carolyn is elected I know that she will work for our area, and bring the focus of the Scottish Government back to the issues that matter most, like delivering the services we need, creating jobs, building homes and investing in our infrastructure locally."

Commenting on her selection, Mrs Caddick said: "It is a huge honour for me to be given the opportunity to represent the Inverness and Nairn constituency.

"People are fed up with nationalist MSPs obsessed with independence rather than the right priorities for the Highlands. The Highlands have a strong Liberal tradition where the likes of Russell Johnson, Danny Alexander and Charles Kennedy have spoken up on the issues that really matter to local people.

"The policies that suit central government often simply aren't right for people and businesses in our Highland communities.

"The SNP's relentless drive to impose centralised, Central Belt control on our key public services has to be challenged. The Scottish Parliament needs a strong Highland voice speaking up for local people and a Scottish Government that works for us and not just for the SNP's narrow agenda."

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie MSP said: "Carolyn is well placed to win the seat and return it to the Liberal tradition. Carolyn Caddick and Danny Alexander will make a cracking team for the area.

"With the coalition government delivering more jobs, lower taxes and higher pensions and the Lib Dems in Holyrood winning more childcare and free school meals, more voters are returning to the Lib Dems."

ENDS

At a House of Commons reception, Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, thanked him personally for his help with getting the annual duty increase of 2% above inflation on wine and spirits scrapped after six damaging years.

Highland MP Danny Alexander said:

"I was delighted to accept my award from Graeme Cruikshank, Distilling Manager at Tormore Distillery. Tormore is an important local employer, which brings home the point that abolition of the escalator is all about jobs and growth, in the Highlands and elsewhere. I want more jobs to be created in this sector and I look forward to seeing industry contribute even more to my constituents and to the national economy."

ENDS

Notes to editor

The UK wine and spirit industry makes a massive contribution to jobs, growth, the public finances and the economy.

· In 2012-13, the wine and spirit industry directly or indirectly supported approaching half a million jobs (approximately 475,000) across the UK. This does not include employment at major supermarkets in the UK, which support around 800,000 jobs in total. If only 1% of their sales could be attributed to wine and spirits, this translates to approximately 8000 additional jobs supported by the industry.

· The wine and spirit industry supports over £40bn of economic activity in the UK (£22bn directly attributable), which translates into a contribution to GDP of £19bn.

· With a value of £5.5bn to pubs, wine and spirit sales are increasingly important to a healthy pub trade, as the 40:40 parity between wine and spirit sales vs beer and cider sales in new on-trade openings shows.

· In 2012, the wine and spirit industry contributed a total of £14.5bn to the public finances, almost all (91%) directly dependent on the industry's activity, such as VAT, excise duty, employment and corporation tax. Including all other alcohol, the industry pays a total of £10.45bn in duty alone.

· Globally, the UK is the sixth largest wine market in the world and the 14^th largest for spirits while per capita consumption is 23^rd and 34^th respectively.

Wine and spirit sales are crucial to a healthy pub trade.

· Pubs, bars and restaurants are increasingly reliant on wine and spirit sales to bring in revenue.

· Wine and spirits are worth £5.5bn to pubs in the UK. Between 2013 and 2014, wine and spirit sales will have generated an estimated £280 million increase in revenue for the on-trade.

· Over 26 million people now regularly drink wine in pubs, bars and restaurants.

· Independent research indicates that while wine currently accounts for around 18% of the total value of drinks sold in the on-trade, this will increase to almost 20% by 2018. Spirits sales will increase from 22% to 24%. Meanwhile beer and lager sales are set to decrease from around 50% to 47% over the next four years.

· Newly opened pubs, bars and restaurants are relying even more on wine and spirit sales: wine accounts for 22.1% of their sales; spirits account for 18% of their sales.

· In new on-trade openings, including food-serving, family-friendly pubs, there is now parity between sales of wine and spirits on the one hand and beer and cider on the other. The combined total of 40.1% for wine and spirits sales compares with 40.2% for beer and cider.

· It is a very different story in pubs that are closing where wine accounts for a much smaller proportion of sales – just 12.3%, compared to 58.5% for beer and cider sales.

Yet both the industry and responsible drinkers are treated unfairly.

· The UK alcohol industry is one of the most heavily taxed in Europe and pays the third highest duty rate for wine and the fourth highest duty rate for spirits in the EU.

· UK consumers pay almost 40% (38.22% or almost 12.5bn Euro) of all alcohol duty paid by consumers across EU member states. This is more than France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland combined.

· At 10% or just over 3bn Euro, the Member State which pays the second biggest percentage is Germany – a fraction of what UK consumers pay in comparison.

· Per capita, the UK pays 194 Euros in alcohol duty, the second highest in the EU and 2.8 times the average of 70 Euros.

· The UK is now ranked third in the EU for tax on wine and pays almost 67% (66.63%) of the total amount of all duty paid on wine in the EU, 43.29% of sparkling wine duty, a quarter of all spirit duty at 24.8%, 39.03% of beer duty and 57.9% of duty on other products like cider.

· UK consumers pay 56% of the average bottle of wine – equivalent to £2.05 per 75cl bottle of wine – and 77% of a bottle of gin in tax – equivalent to £11.29 for a litre of spirits at 40% ABV.

· Wine consumers paid over £3.7bn in duty in 2013/14 accounting for 36% of all alcohol duty income. Spirits paid over £3bn in duty accounting for 29% of all alcohol duty income.

· The high level of duty on wine is penalising the 26m people who regularly drink wine in pubs, bars and restaurants, holding back the growth of English wine and undermining the UK's position in the global wine market.

· The Government also risks unfairly punishing women drinkers, given that 55% of women consider wine to be their preferred drink of choice.

· Tax on wine still increased by 2.47% in Budget 2014, compared with a 2% cut for beer and a freeze for spirits.

· Since the Alcohol Duty Escalator was introduced in 2008, alcohol taxation for wine has increased by 54% and spirits duty by 44%. Since 2010, when the Coalition Government came to power, alcohol taxation for wine has increased by 28% and for spirits by 25%.

For more information, please contact William Boyack, Media and Public Affairs Manager at the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, at:

Tel: +44 (0)20 7089 3876

Mob: +44 (0) 7948 329 001

Email: [email protected]

Mr Alexander made his statement at Shelter Scotland's 2014 lecture in Edinburgh.

He said: "We need to be building 300,000 homes a year. Not meeting that target is an economic risk to the country, as well as making houses of all sorts progressively less affordable.

"As the proposed developments at An Camas Mor and Tornagrain show, well thought out new settlements have a significant role to play in achieving this ambition, and can command public support. These developments in the Highlands are an example to the rest of the country and should be followed.

"But as well as being plentiful, housing should be affordable.

"I have worked hard in government to put significant public investment into this. £4.5billion during this Spending Review period to provide for 170,000 new homes with more to come.

"This is the fastest rate of affordable house building for more than 20 years.

"We can and must do more but as developments like An Camas Mor show, it is possible to meet our goals."

Ends

Drivers will save up to £150 million over the next ten years as the cost of getting a driving licence is slashed, Highland MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander announced today.

Driving licence fees will fall by up to 32% as part of the UK government's commitment to deliver savings to the taxpayer.

The changes, which follow a recent public consultation, come into force from 31 October 2014. Drivers applying online will see the fee for a provisional driving licence fall from £50 to £34 and online renewals after ten years fall from £20 to £14. The fee for driver tachograph cards – used by businesses to record how far their staff are driving - will fall from £38 to £32.

Highland MP Danny Alexander said: "I've worked hard in government to ensure that taxpayers get a fair deal. That's why we're slashing the cost of getting a driving licence and giving it straight back to young people and businesses, saving £150 million over ten years.

"This is great news for Highlanders. The cost of driving, especially for young drivers, can be significant and with limited public transport options this is often a cost which is unavoidable.

"By making savings to the DVLA's running costs, we are able to cut the cost of driving."

DVLA is reviewing all fees and the reduction in driving licence fees is a result of the first part of this ongoing review. Other fees being considered in the review include vehicle first registrations and duplicate registration certificates.

A million ‘first licence' applications are processed every year and the fees drop will save new drivers £82.2 million over ten years. Over 77% of these applications are made by 17-24 year olds. In addition 2.1 million photocard licences are renewed every year and the changes will save motorists £61.3 million over a decade.

Businesses make another 85,500 renewals a year and will save £2.44 million over ten years while the cost savings to tachographs will save another £3.58 million over the decade.

Ends

Notes to editors

1. The current driving licence fees are available to view on:

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees

2. The new fees will come into force on 31 October 2014.The reduction in driving licence fees is the first phase in the DVLA review of its fees. The second phase will involve a comprehensive review of the DVLA's funding and will focus on the way services are delivered to customers in light of the introduction of further digital services.

Highland MP Danny Alexander has called on Keith Brown to "break the habit of a lifetime" and finally listen to Highlanders over the installation on average speed cameras on the A9.

The cameras are due to go live on Tuesday 28th October despite the opposition of thousands of Highlanders who have signed petitions against them.

Mr Alexander has been a vocal opponent of the average speed cameras which he, like thousands of other regular uses of the road, believes will only add to driver frustration which is the main cause of accidents.

He has set out a number of alternatives to the average speed cameras, such as better signage, chevrons on the road to mark distance, and increased use of police patrols at black spots.

Mr Alexander said: "With just days until the cameras become operational, time is running out for Keith Brown to prove he cares what Highlanders think.

"He has been described as someone who will listen as he makes his plea to become SNP deputy. But there has so far been no evidence that he is prepared to listen to thousands of Highlanders who do not want his yellow vultures on the A9.

"Time and time again, the SNP Government in Edinburgh have been told to allow alternative measures time to succeed. They have failed to listen, much as pleas to accelerate the dualling of the A9 have fallen on deaf ears of SNP Ministers.

"Keith Brown should take this weekend to reflect and, instead of turning on the cameras, break the habit of a lifetime by listening to the wishes of Highlanders."

ENDS

The claimant count has fallen again this quarter to 580 at the end of September. This is 526 fewer than in the same month last year.

The area has the 576th lowest unemployment of the 650 UK parliamentary seats.

Highland MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said: "The Highlands has been hugely resilient through these tough times. Our continuing low unemployment rates are testament to that.

"I supported forming the coalition in 2010 and have worked at national level to make it a success precisely because it was the best way to deliver the economic recovery and jobs that we are now seeing in the Highlands and across the UK.

"The latest unemployment figures is the strongest evidence yet that the economic strength we have in the Highlands is now being replicated across the country. We have record numbers in work and unemployment falling at the fastest rate in over a decade.

"Every job created is a family made more secure and is another step towards the stronger economy and fairer society that I have been working for in Government."

ENDS

Notes for editors:

· These figures do not include unemployed people claiming Universal Credit. In September 2014, there were 490 people in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey claiming Universal Credit (rounded to the nearest ten), but the statistics currently do not differentiate between those claimants who are 'jobseekers' and those who are not. Therefore the number of Universal Credit claimants includes people who have entered employment or who are no longer seeking work.

Kiltarlity will be among the areas to receive superfast fibre broadband for the first time. While Inverness and Nairn will see existing superfast fibre broadband coverage extended into more homes.

Mr Alexander and the Lib Dems in government have helped secure £120 million in funding to support the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.

He said: "These new services will provide a real economic boost for our area and make it easier for people to access crucial services online.

"The internet has had a fundamental impact on the way that we live, work and communicate in the Highlands today. It has changed the way companies do business, the way that we access crucial public services and how we keep in touch with friends and family.

"Consistent and reliable internet access is more important than ever and the announcement today will have real benefits for people in the Highlands.

"All too often in the past, people in the Highlands have been at the back of the queue when it comes to improvements in digital services. Liberal Democrats in government made clear that extending these new technologies right across Scotland is a genuine priority and this announcement is another big step in the right direction."

7 in 10 bus passengers with sight loss have been forgotten by a bus driver. For a sighted person, missing a stop is an annoyance, but for someone with sight loss, it is potentially very dangerous.

Mr Alexander got the chance to experience for himself why people with sight loss need audio-visual announcements (AV) on buses, through playing a memory game, at the Liberal Democrat Party conference in Glasgow last week.

Mr Alexander said: "The Guide Dogs' stall at our Lib Dem conference in Glasgow was a great way of emphasising how difficult it is for a bus driver to always remember to tell people when to get off.

"For many people with limited sight who live in the Highlands, public transport can be a life line and an absolute necessity. And it can be doubly so for those who live in the more remote communities.

"The ‘Talking Buses' initiative is a fantastic idea and I wish Guide Dogs all the best with their campaign."

James White, Campaigns Manager at Guide Dogs commented: "Guide dogs do fantastic work getting people out and about safely, and the lack of AV acts as a real barrier to their independence. That's why we're urging politicians like Mr Alexander to call for the mandatory installation of AV on buses, something that is cheap to do."

ENDS

Note to Editors:

• For more information about Guide Dogs and its Talking Buses campaign, contact Liz Marshall in the press office on 0118 983 8173 or [email protected]
• The ‘Destination Unknown' survey was conducted between February and July 2014. 2,009 people participated in the survey from across the UK. 989 responses were received from people who identify themselves as having a disability, including 818 respondents who are blind or partially sighted.
• AV is essential for people with sight loss to live independently, yet only one fifth of the UK's buses have AV. Without AV bus passengers with sight loss have to ask the driver to remember to tell them when they have reached their stop.
• AV doesn't just help people with sight loss – tourists, older people and infrequent bus users all find AV useful. Guide Dogs released their Destination Unknown report this September showing that nearly half of survey respondents said they would use the bus more frequently if it had AV.

Thousands of people have signed petitions against the cameras and 90% of people in a Press and Journal poll said that they did not believe the cameras would make the road any safer.

Despite this, the SNP government in Edinburgh have ploughed on with the costly scheme.

Highland MP Danny Alexander said: "The vast majority of Highlanders oppose these cameras but yet the SNP in Edinburgh seems stone deaf to our concerns.

"What more do people have to do to get this government to listen? Highlanders have campaigned against them, signed petitions opposing them, and Keith Brown has a document that I sent him containing over 100 views that were submitted to the Highland Infrastructure Forum.

"We all want the road to be safer. But most Highlanders believe that the SNP is making a grave mistake by ploughing on with this scheme, because it will increase driver frustration and risk on the road.

"Far better for the Scottish Government to allow the other measures that have been implemented - including overtaking campaigns, better signage, and an increased police presence at blackspots - to succeed.

"Instead, Ministers attention should be on accelerating the dualling of the A9, after their seven wasted years in office.

"Even at this late stage, SNP ministers should listen to the people of the Highlands from whom the message on average speed cameras is crystal clear."

Mr Alexander said: 'The new franchise has been controversial, and will bring some small and long delayed improvements to services in the Highlands.

'I'd like to have seen much more ambitious commitments on journey times between Inverness and the Central Belt. That requires small investments in North rail infrastructure, but frustratingly the SNP's priorities are still further south.

'The big worry in Inverness has been about the future of the rail depot in the City. This provides vital high skilled employment. The Scottish government and Abellio need to urgently provide clarity on whether they intend to maintain this important facility. It also has a knock on effect for sleeper maintenance work too.

'I urged Scottish ministers to require its retention in the franchise. I have written to Keith Brown asking whether he has done this. Inverness has been a centre of the rail industry for over a century, I hope that this franchise will allow that to continue.'

On Friday, Highland MP Danny Alexander joined Lord Paddy Ashdown on a visit to The Highlanders' Museum (Queen's own Highlanders Collection).

The pair spent some time talking to veterans who volunteer at the Museum and tour the First World War Collection currently on display.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown served as a captain in both the Royal Marines and the Special Boat Service before being elected to the House of Commons in 1983.

Lord Ashdown said: "It's important to remember the contribution communities and young men from the Highlands have made to our country's history.

"Through both world wars and still to this present day, the Highlanders have played a vital role in our armed forces.

"It reminds you, 100 years after the Great War and as we pull out of Afghanistan, just how much the future relies on soldiers being prepared to go out and serve wherever they are required to do so"

Mr Alexander said: "Seeing the special 100^th anniversary collection, and hearing the stories of the young Highlanders who served in the First World War, is very poignant.

"I'd like to thank the volunteers and staff at the Museum for their good work in putting together this fitting tribute to the Highlanders regiments, past and present."

Alan Michael for the last 34 years has dedicated his life to helping the elderly and isolated in his community.

The Granddad of five has worked as a sports commentator on the hospital radio for the last 22 years and also reads newspapers for the visually impaired for a library service.

Mr Michael also has set up several friendship clubs making sure nobody in his community feels isolated or alone.

Mr Alexander said: "Mr Michael has done outstanding work in supporting his community. I'm delighted that his achievement and hard work have been recognised for such a noble award.

"I've been told Alan has helped hundreds of people in need of support in the community and is continuing to do so.

"Mr Michael should be very proud of himself."

Ends

Notes to editors:

For more information go to http://www.greatscotawards.co.uk/.

Highland MP Danny Alexander has welcomed a significant reversal by Police Scotland over its policy on armed police.

A statement released today by Police Scotland said that armed police officers would no longer be deployed on routine duties, only to firearms incidents or where there is a threat to life.

Highland MP Danny Alexander said: "This is great news for thousands of Highlanders who backed the campaign to get this policy reversed. It's been good to work with John Finnie and others on a cross-party basis to secure this change.

"Serious concerns raised by the public about the SNP's armed police policy are finally being addressed.

"Highlanders do not want armed officers patrolling our streets, but for too long the Justice Secretary buried his head in the sand and refused to listen. His armed police policy was illiberal, unwarranted and baseless.

"I will be watching carefully to ensure that while the review of the deployment of armed police is carried out no armed police officers attend routine police calls."

Highland MP Danny Alexander has condemned a decision by police officials to uphold a standing order, introduced in April 2013, allowing armed police officers to carry their weapon with them at all times while on duty.

It has been reported that senior police officers, at an operational meeting held on 16 September, recommended that instead of withdrawing the standing order ‘a more discreet holster should be introduced to reduce the visibility of the handguns and the yellow holsters'.

Commenting, Mr Alexander said: "Agreeing to reduce the visibility of the guns carried by armed officers is farcical.

"Despite the fact Kenny MacAskill knew of the decision to allow routinely armed police on our streets, he chose to hide it from the public. Choosing to hide the guns but keep the policy just shows how illiberal this SNP administration has become.

"Highlanders don't want armed police patrolling our streets. We want approachable, community based policing which our police officers are so adept at providing but are constantly being given misguided orders by their political masters.

"The SNP government in Edinburgh must reverse their decision to allow armed officers to routinely patrol our streets and I urge all Highlanders to make their views known in the SPA consultation currently underway."

The £3.5M investment on Seafield Avenue will see 50 local jobs created and provide beds for 40 people.

Mr Alexander said: "I'm delighted Parklands have put forward plans for a new care home in Grantown. The facility will provide a welcome boost to jobs in the area, and deliver essential support for many families.

"I'm proud that communities here in the Highlands have always valued and supported our older folk. Giving people the chance to remain in their community and close to family and friends should always be a priority, and this investment will help deliver that."

Highland Council's Older Person Champion Kate Stephen said: "Parklands have recently built care homes in Muir of Ord and Tain. These are lovely buildings and the company has a good reputation for providing an excellent standard of care. This is welcome news for older residents in Badenoch and Strathspey who may need residential care in future years."

Nominations for prospective Youth Parliament candidates opened this week. Nominations are open to anyone aged 14-25 and the closing date for getting nominations in is 31 October at 5pm, with elections taking place from 2 – 13 March 2015.

Mr Alexander said: "The Youth Parliament is a fantastic way for younger people in the Highlands to get involved with politics.

"It was remarkable to see so many 16 and 17 year olds debating and studying the arguments put forward during the referendum. And I was delighted to see schools across the Highlands holding mock referendums and engaging with the democratic process.

"I want to see more people getting involved and forming the habit of voting at a younger age. That is why I think all elections should have a minimum voting age of 16.

"With nominations now open, this is an excellent time for any local young person whose interest was seized by the referendum to continue their involvement in politics by representing the young people of the Highlands."

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

1. The expression of interest form is available at the following location: http://www.syp.org.uk/elections

In the letter, Mr Alexander writes:

Today the government is proposing to the House of Commons that the UK should join the wide international coalition that has responded to the request of the Iraqi government to support them in taking action against the barbaric terrorist group Isil. I am one of the ministers whose name is on the motion that is being debated today, and I want to explain to my constituents why I support this decision.

The decision commit our military to action of any sort is the most serious any government can take. Those decisions have to be legal, morally right, and result in action that makes a difference.

The legitimate government of Iraq has asked for our help, and so any action that we take in Iraq is lawful. If the House of Commons agrees, we will engage in air strikes only. UK troops will not be deployed in ground combat operations - the air power of the international coalition will help to support Iraq and Kurdish forces on the ground. And it is clear that the UK has some unique military capabilities that means our participation will make a difference.

Isil are a terrorist group whose indiscriminate barbarity is from the dark ages. The have indiscriminately murdered and abused innocent muslim civilians, murdered hostages from the UK and other countries, and threaten attacks around the world. Morally, the world must act against this threat. I do not believe the people of this country would want the UK to stand idly when we are threatened in this way.

I am very proud of the stance that Charles Kennedy and the Liberal Democrats took against the attack on Iraq in 2003. Today is very different: we have been asked to help defend Iraq against an enemy that threatens the values we believe in.

I hope this helps to explain the stance I have taken, and that you will support the action that the UK intends to take.

With best wishes,

Danny Alexander

ENDS