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Priorities for Highland new year - for The Inverness Courier
I HOPE that all Courier readers have had a happy a peaceful Christmas and a good New Year too.
By the time you read this, many New Year resolutions may already have been broken, so instead here are a few of my hopes and wishes (in no particular order) for the year ahead.
Progress on the Inverness bypass - Inverness’s growth in recent years has been remarkable, but to continue to be successful our infrastructure must develop alongside the rest of the city.
The Inverness bypass — or Trunk Link Route — is critical to both the future of the city and to the rest of the Highlands.
Affordable housing - There has been significant progress in recent years in raising the number of new affordable homes — to rent or buy — in the Highlands.
But every week in my surgeries I meet young local families, working hard on low wages, desperate for a house and waiting for months or years — so much more needs to be done before this crisis is solved.
Britain a force for good in the world? - One of the great benefits of the UK is that our size, history, and experience gives us the chance to be a hugely influential voice in the world, both within Europe and outside. One of the most shameful and depressing aspects of Tony Blair’s time as Prime Minister is the way that influence has been squandered and undermined by surrendering our foreign policy independence to George Bush.
Any pretence to moral leadership has been lost through the illegal war in Iraq and the recent decision to cancel the Saudi arms fraud investigation will make it harder to fight corruption elsewhere. Is it not time in 2007 that we became a force for good again? We could start by bringing our troops home from Iraq in a phased withdrawal.
Invest in post offices - I would like 2007 to be the year that post offices receive new investment and support from the government.
Sadly, it looks like it will be another year spent fighting government plans to force closures in communities where the post office provides an essential social and economic service.
Responsible drinking - One of the saddest aspects of the festive period, has been the rise in the numbers of people caught drink-driving by the police. Let us make 2007 the year of responsible drinking and show zero tolerance of drink drivers and of the drinks companies making vast sums out of irresponsible drinking.
These are just a few of my thoughts for 2007 — all there is room for here. Bliadhna mhath ur!
Posted on: 16/01/2007
