Views

Faster progress on A9 needed - for the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald

REGULAR travellers on the A9 through the strath have been experiencing for the past few weeks roadworks over a long stretch around Kincraig.

This is enacting a positive commitment made by the previous Scottish Executive to upgrade various stretches of the road with overtaking lanes, though I am sorry that the new government didn't agree to my suggestion that these works should be to upgraded to dual carriageway status.

More disappointing, though, is the stony silence from the government since its election last May about the A9. This is all the more worrying when compared to the vocal and frequent commitments to dualling large stretches made by its candidates during the election.

Last week, we heard that an additional stretch of six miles in Perthshire will be dualled – the previous minister, Tavish Scott, had started the process towards upgrading the entire route from Perth to Pitlochry.

The A9 is a vitally important link for the whole of the Highlands. Upgrading is vital for economic reasons and to improve road safety. Of course, it will take a long time to tackle the problems along the entire length of the route, but I have argued for a long time that the right way to do this is for the government to have a timetable of improvements over long period. Crucially, that progress needs to start now. We have had enough dithering and delay from the new government – action is needed now.

Europe debates

DEBATES at Westminster last week were dominated by a single issue. After two weeks of debating its implications, MPs finally voted on the Lisbon Treaty.

For a long time, debates about Europe have been prone to generate more heat than light. This was no exception, especially with the focus on Conservative demands for a referendum on the latest detailed revisions of the EU's operations.

The Lisbon Treaty is much reduced in substance and scope compared to the failed constitution that it replaces. Given the watering down of the proposals to today's 'mouse' of a document, I believe that the only way to stay faithful to the commitment to a referendum on the constitution is to have a much wider poll on Britain's place in Europe.

The Lisbon Treaty makes minor changes to the internal workings of the EU – it is trivial compared to earlier treaties. It is frankly, hypocritical for Conservatives to call for a vote today when in government they denied one on the Maastricht Treaty and the Single European Act that created the EU as we have it today.

An in/out referendum would at least allow people to debate the fundamental issues that cause real concern to some. It would give a chance to lance the boil of Euro-scepticism that has held Britain back in Europe for so long. We in the Highlands know better than most the enormous benefits of being part of Europe.

That's why I voted last week for Parliament to be allowed to debate the in/out option, and why I abstained on the much narrower idea of holding a vote on the specific details of this treaty.

Despite polls showing that by two to one people would prefer the broader debate that Liberal Democrats want, Conservative and Labour MPs voted to prevent parliament even debating it.

If and when we get it, I look forward to campaigning for Britain to be at the heart of Europe. A real referendum would allow us to air all the facts, and decide whether European co-operaition has - as I would argue - added to our ability to tackle vital international issues, and to help peripheral regions.

It would flush out the true anti-Europe colours of those many Tory MPs who hide behind the modest sounding call for a treaty referemdum, and test their views too.

I believe passionately that we are better off in Europe – and I am sure that is the conclusion the British people would come to after a well-informed debate.

Young talent

I WAS delighted to be asked to help judge the "K-Factor" talent show at Kingussie High School on Thursday. A big audience of pupils and parents enjoyed a fantastically diverse array of talent – music, dance, song.

Young people are too often criticised by politicians, and this event was a brilliant reminder of the other side of the story.

There was a real sense of pride in the effort that young people had put in, using their own ideas and skills.

There was a real sense of a school and community that supports and invests in its children.

That is exactly the right attitude, and national politicians and the national media could learn a lot from it.

Posted on: 12/03/2008