Boris Johnson in Moray – reaction of protesters
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A group of about 70 local people came out to protest yesterday as Boris Johnson visited Moray.
The Prime Minister flew into Kinloss Barracks shortly after 2pm.
He was driven out of the back entrance of the barracks and travelled to Fochabers where he was given a tour of the Baxters factory.
At just before 5pm he was taken to RAF Lossiemouth where he met military families and thanked them for the help they had provided during the pandemic.
The protesters who had gathered at Kinloss Barracks included both independence supporters and members of the climate change group Extinction Rebellion.
Amongst the independence supporters was Carolle Ralph, a long-time SNP activist and former Moray councillor.
Receiving a phone call shortly before the Prime Minister's arrival, she immediately headed from her home in Lossiemouth to Kinloss.
Mrs Ralph said she thought it was a very good turnout at such short notice, but expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister had not acknowledged the presence of the protesters.
She added: "I remember years ago when we fighting to save RAF Lossiemouth, a group of us went to Keith where Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, was visiting a distillery.
"We weren't expecting him to, but he came over and spoke to us.
"I might not have agreed with him, but my respect for Nick Clegg went up that day.
"After all, how can you hope to represent the people properly if you don't meet them?
"How can you learn about the problems they have in their lives?"
Mrs Ralph added: "To come all this way and then not go out into the community – it just seems like a missed opportunity.
"I would have loved to have had the chance to meet Boris Johnson and ask him a question.
"I'd have asked him about the welfare system, which I believe is deeply flawed.
"People in Lossie have lost their livelihoods due to Covid and they are having to wait weeks to get help.
"Boris Johnson is the person who could make a difference to that."
Niall MacDhòmhnaill, who brought a drum to the protest, featured in footage broadcast on Channel Four news last night.
The Westphail resident, who's pro-independence but not an SNP supporter, said: "I came to make my views known about his handling of the Covid crisis."
Simon Clark, a member of Extinction Rebellion who lives in Kinloss, was also amongst the protesters.
He said: "It was a good natured crowd, but I'm afraid the whole day left me feeling a bit powerless.
"It's like we have to go onto the streets to protest because nobody in authority is listening.
"When Boris became the leader of the Tories a year ago it depressed me because I expected he'd win the election – and that would mean another five years when very little gets done about the climate situation.
"I feel he's the jovial front of well-drilled power – and that power doesn't want to challenge our reliance on fossil fuels.
"There was some talk yesterday amongst the Extinction Rebellion group of standing in the middle of the road he came past.
"We decided against it because it would be dangerous, but I believe the police got wind of our discussions.
"Anyway, his cavalcade ended up driving out of the back gate of the base rather than the front, so at least we made him aware of our presence."
Moray's MP Douglas Ross accompanied the Prime Minister on his tour of Baxter's.
After the visit he made the point that this was Boris Johnson's second visit to Moray during the past eight months.
He contrasted that with Nicola Sturgeon who has not come in an official capacity since August 2018, when she announced a roll-out of support for broadband for the Highlands and Islands – a move which Mr Ross said did not benefit Moray.
Commenting on the Prime Miniser's visit, Mr Ross said: "The military at both Kinloss and Lossiemouth have played a key role during the Covid pandemic while also continuing with their regular duties.
"I know they were grateful to hear directly from the Prime Minister thanking for everything they have done.
"Baxters is a global brand with a proud Moray history and it was good to see the developments at the factory and discuss the work they’ve done in recent months, meeting the increased demand for many of their products.
"Naturally, they also sell across the UK which is why our government’s plans to protect the internal market is so important for them and many Moray businesses and their staff.
"While the SNP are opposing this for political reasons the Prime Minister is determined to ensure Scottish jobs and businesses are not hurt by the SNP’s damaging stance on this issue.
"Having the Prime Minister back in Moray allows us to highlight what the UK government is doing right here in the local area.
"I look forward to his next visit as the UK government continues to invest in Moray and support all four nations of the United Kingdom."
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