MSP hopefuls propose law to strengthen rural communities in far north

The Highland Liberal Democrats have called for a new law to strengthen rural communities, accusing the SNP government of “a broken relationship with rural Scotland” that has left many rural areas forgotten and left behind.

David Green, the party’s candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, is proposing new legislation to “rural proof” government policy by ensuring laws are subject to a Rural Communities Impact Assessment. 

The policy will be debated this weekend [Saturday 18 October] at the party’s penultimate conference before the next Scottish elections. The motion also calls for a requirement on Ministers to regularly report on the wellbeing and sustainability of rural communities.

In the same spirit as the 2018 Islands Act, which Mr Green supported Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs to amend to ensure island authorities can apply for more powers, the Highland Liberal Democrats want to see protections extended to rural communities. 

In 2019, former Far North MSP Gail Ross launched a consultation for a similar piece of legislation. However, without the support of the SNP Government, the Bill failed to make progress through Parliament. 

Party members will also debate calls on the Scottish Government to enable a review of the shape and size of rural local authorities - subject to their request - and funding formulas to ensure local services are properly resourced and meet the needs of local communities.

The move follows a campaign launched by the party’s Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch candidate, Andrew Baxter, under the banner “Time to Say Goodbye to Highland Council".  He argues that Highland Council is too large, too centralised, and too remote to serve the diverse needs of communities across the Highlands.

David Green, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:

“The Highlands is bursting with potential, but too often our communities have been forgotten and left behind. Those of us living in the Highlands know that the SNP’s one-size-fits-all approach fails to adequately account for rural needs. 

“From the centralisation of the police to the ferry fiasco and the ill-judged attempt to impose Highly Protected Marine Areas, we have seen this SNP government make a catalogue of decisions that run against the interests of Highland communities.

“Quite frankly, this SNP government has a broken relationship with rural Scotland. So Scottish Liberal Democrats will repair the damage by ensuring rural proofing is written into law so rural communities across Scotland get the fair deal they deserve.”

Cllr Andrew Baxter, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, will summate the policy debate. He said: 

“Highland council covers an area almost the size of Belgium. People living in Skye, Wick and Aviemore don’t necessarily have exactly the same interests. Meanwhile it is distant SNP ministers in Edinburgh who are making decisions about what local services should look like. That’s not good enough.

“The Scottish Government should work with councils to enable a review of the shape and size of rural local authorities - subject to their request - and funding formulas to ensure local services are properly resourced and meet the needs of local communities. If communities want to see local authorities broken up, then they should be able to decide that for themselves.”

ENDS.