Buckie election debate
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THE Banffshire Advertiser hosted an election debate in Buckie which was attended by Angus Robertson (SNP), Douglas Ross (Scottish Conservatives), Sean Morton (Scottish Labour) and James Mackessack-Leitch (Scottish Greens).
Among the questions posed was:
What measures would you pursue in Westminster which could benefit towns like Buckie, particularly thinking of the harbour and efforts to attract new renewables business?
Sean Morton claimed that Buckie had a healthy local economy, including a High Street which in many ways was "more vibrant" than Elgin’s. The town was, he added, on course to become the "jewel in Moray’s crown".
The harbour area was fortunate in that there were already firms working there though the need to diversify, including into renewables, was essential.
He went on to attack the austerity cuts, to which he called for an end, along with zero hours contracts.
The massive potential of renewable energy was not lost on Angus Robertson, who reminded the audience that Scotland alone possessed some 25% of Europe’s renewable energy potential. While there was "huge potential", he warned that this are was being held at a "competitive disadvantage" by electricity grid providing which favoured the south of England over Scotland.
Mr Robertson went on to call for an increase in capital spending on the likes of infrastructure, and criticised the Tories for their rush towards clearing the deficit, a move he claimed was akin to taking a 10 rather than 20-year mortgage on a house, the former being more expensive.
Douglas Ross responded by saying that the SNP’s plans would unnecessarily prolong austerity and therefore the cuts. Turning to Buckie harbour, he stated that the town was "very lucky" in many ways in having a sheltered harbour which was rarely closed. However, he went on to reiterate his belief that often "not enough is done to promote this".
The Greens’ enthusiasm for renewables should not be a surprise, James MacKessack-Leitch commented, who asserted that Scotland should be in "pole position" when it came to such technology but had instead ceded this to Germany and Denmark. The difference, he mused, was the lack of backing from government who remained "oil-obsessed". Scotland should be "leading the way, not playing second fiddle" in renewables, with the government focusing on a phased withdrawal from a reliance on oil.
What characteristic would you say best define you as a person that you would bring to the role of MP?
The final of the opening set three questions gave the candidates an opportunity to expand upon why they were the best choice for the voters of Moray to represent them at Westminster over the course of the next five years.
"Judge me by my record" was Angus Robertson’s clarion cry, having been elected MP for Moray since the 2001 General Election. He pointed out he had been awarded the honour of hardest working Scottish MP in 2011, a title for which he has been nominated a total of three times.
Praising the stalwart efforts of his constituency team in dealing with constituents’ issues, he continued: "What matters most [about being an MP] is what you’re able to do for people who can’t sort things out for themselves, which can be transformational for them."
As a fresh face on the Moray parliamentary scene, though well known in a number of local Moray campaigns, such as the protest against the controversial link road in Elgin, James MacKessack-Leitch stated that this was also an advantage.
"I’m the first Green candidate ever to stand in an election like this in Moray," he continued. "I’m not as politically experienced as the other candidates but I do have a clear vision of the difference I want to make.
"I passionately believe in what I’m doing and the difference the Greens can make."
The many challenges he has faced in his life had served as a proving ground for his character, Sean Morton told the hustings.
He said: "There have been many points in my life when I ‘ve been counted out, but I’ve got the knack of winning when I’ve been told I can’t.
"I care about the people I love and live with, and you can’t ask for anything better. The things I’ve experienced in my life have made me more resilient."
Douglas Ross opened his account with a touch of humour, stating that an MP needs something of a thick skin, a quality he has developed over the years both by being a Tory in Scotland and a football referee.
"You do have a good group of candidates here at this hustings and whoever you choose will be a pretty decent MP," he added. "I was born and bred in Moray, and I believe this is very important.
"If elected, I promise to represent you all, regardless of how you voted, as an MP."
Also standing in Moray are Rob Scorer (UKIP) and Jamie Paterson (Lib-Dem). They were unable to attend the hustings.
