LIB DEMS FACE HIGHLAND WIPEOUT

ATTN: Press and Journal NEWSDESK / POLITICAL


For immediate use 16th February 2011

GIBSON ON TIMES POLL



Commenting on the recent Ipsos MORI poll for the Times, which shows the SNP in the lead against Labour and the Lib Dems at a miserable 10%, SNP Caithness Sutherland and Ross candidate Rob Gibson MSP said:


"This is an encouraging poll for the SNP, especially in the Highlands, but we're taking nothing for granted up here. We'll work harder than ever to promote the SNP's positive record in the North, and our optimistic vision for the Highlands.


"With Alex Salmond as out First Minister, we can keep on winning for the North."

Gibson accuses Lib Dems over Postal service

News release
Immediate release
22/09/10

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has accused the

Liberal Democrats in Scotland of betraying rural communities

and businesses following the revelation that the UK Coalition

Government are considering scrapping Saturday postal deliveries.

The idea was floated in a leaked letter between Vince Cable and

Chancellor George Osbourne. Obtained by the Press and Journal,

the letter from the Business Secretary Vince Cable raises the

prospect of a reduction in minimum service requirements, and

that legislation he plans to introduce would “build in

flexibility to amend” these minimum requirements in future.

The letter appeared just days after Scottish LibDem leader

Tavish Scott claimed to have received a 'copper bottom

guarantee' on the future of the postal service.

Mr Gibson, who lodged a motion in Parliament earlier this month

highlighting the problems encountered by Scottish firms and

parcel deliveries, said that this was a worrying development

given the forthcoming privatisation of the Royal Mail….

"The Lib Dems and Conservatives have embraced whole heartedly

the sell off of the Royal Mail, that raises serious questions

over the service that we will get in remote and rural areas."

"Tavish Scott sought to allay those fears, however his words

are ringing hollow following the appearance of this letter. It

begs the question is Tavish Scott aware what is going on or is

he spreading misinformation."

"The Liberal Democrat claim that the postal service from

Kensington to Kyleakin would not be affected due to

privatisation always was a non starter this news is just

confirmation. The ideas set out in this letter would suggest

that postal service from Kyleakin to Keiss and beyond will

suffer far more than Kensington. It is a shameful betrayal by

the Liberal Democrats of those that live and work in remote and

rural areas. It is also an abandonment of principles of the Lib

Dems in favour of their Ministerial Mondeos."

"The fact is that businesses in rural Scotland rely upon the

services provided by Royal Mail. A reduction in the current

minimum requirements of the Universal Service Obligation will

seriously impact on rural areas and will undermine efforts to

regenerate the rural economy."

"First of all Labour cut the amount of Post offices in remote

rural areas now the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives seem

intent of cutting the postal services to these areas. It is a

triple whammy from the UK Government of all colours which will

do our remote and rural communities no good at all."

Mr Gibson also challenged a Lib Dem, Labour or Conservative MSP

to sign his motion on the parcel deliveries.

ENDS

Gibson welcomes GM dialogue decision

News release
immediate release
17/09/10




News that the UK Government is to abandon a Food Standards
Agency dialogue on GM technologies with the public has been
warmly welcomed by Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson.


MR Gibson was speaking after it was announced by UK Science
Minister David Willets that the dialogue would not continue in
it's current form and that the new Government were taking the
opportunity to step back and review past dialogues on GM and
other areas of science.


Although Mr Willets also said that the UK Government were still
developing their policy on the use of GM technology in food and
agriculture, Rob, a longstanding critic of GM technologies in
food and agriculture, said that the dialogue was discredited
and a waste of time...


"Two cheers for Science Minister Willets, the hugely
discredited FSA run public dialogue on the place of GM crops
has been ditched in its present form.


"Whilst Mr Willets wishes to increase the dialogue about
science and UK government policy with the public that has to be
on a basis of science not on the wishes of multinational
biotech firms. Labour were in the thrall to firms such as
Monsanto, and were ready to roll out GM across England and
would do the same in Scotland given half a chance. I hope that
the new coalition Government in Westminster is more circumspect
on the issue as Labour whilst in power were brazen."


"I am delighted that the Scottish Government and those in Wales
and Northern Ireland reject GM development of field crops. I
took part in a Holyrood debate yesterday on the value of
Scottish food and drink. Now we must press the UK to recognise
natural values in food and drop the big lies that GM can feed
the world."




ENDS

Duthac House does not deserve privatisation

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has questioned the motives of Highland Council Social Work Department in suggesting £0.9 million needs to be spent on Duthac House care home immediately.


He said,


“I am disappointed that local councillor Alasdair Rhind continues to reject the majority opinion in Tain which wants to see investment in Duthac House for the long term, not a new home.”


“I am shocked that the Housing and Social Work Committee can treat a gold star care home in this way. When certain private homes can achieve poor scores from the Care Commission, Duthac House gets 5 out 6 in recent inspections.”


“ With cuts cascading down from Westminster as the latest excuse, the LibDem, Labour and Independent led Highland Council has finally got its way. Privatise everything to get it off the books.”


“Tain people will seek allies to fight this move and reverse the Council’s stance.”

SNP MSP joins survivors of WW2 Arctic convoys to promote a museum for their artefacts.

For immediate use

 Rob Gibson SNP MSP was proud to be invited to speak at and join the remembrance service at Cove on Loch Ewe for the 3,000 seamen lost in the WW2 Arctic convoys.


Speaking after the service at the Scottish Russian Arctic Convoy Club memorial on Saturday 4th September, Rob said,


" I was honoured to be invited by the Scottish Convoy Club chairman Jock Dempster to address the gathering alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Ross, Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh Janet Bowen. Around thirty Scottish veterans survive today from the seamen who served on these hazardous Arctic convoys to Murmansk which carried vital war materials to aid our Russian allies on the Eastern Front. We all agreed that local efforts deserve national recognition and support to find a place and install the memorabilia of this dwindling band of quiet heroes."

"I am the first MSP or MP to be present and with links to the Russian Consulate who have never forgotten these seam, I am writing to Highland Council to refresh the Naval Trail set up in the days of Ross and Cromarty District Council that highlight the part played by Wester Ross and other areas of the north in the defence of freedom and the defeat of the Nazis. I am also seeking support from our veteran's minister in the Scottish Government, Alex Neil MSP. But the main wishes of the members of the Russian Arctic Convoy Club Scotland is for a local museum to focus on the convoys which overwhelmingly sailed from Loch Ewe that needs to be achieved."

"I'm sure that a meeting of minds at local community level with the Highland Council and Scottish Government can see their dream realised."

Rob Gibson with Jock Dempster and two of the other veterans