SNP MSP Dave Thompson has repeated his calls for control over drink driving legislation to be devolved as soon as possible after reports the UK Government no longer intend to reduce the amount of alcohol that can be consumed before driving.

The Highlands & Islands MSP responded to a report in today’s Daily Mail that the UK Government would not change the law because of the impact on rural communities saying: “Rural areas suffer considerably from the effect of drunk driving. Reckless and drunk driving on country roads cause accidents that can devastate families and communities.

Scottish National Party MSP Dave Thompson, regional member for the Highlands and Islands, has confirmed that he has been selected as the party's candidate for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency at next year's Scottish Parliament election.

Mr Thompson, whose campaigns for the installation of gates on open level crossings, a reduction in the drink driving limit, a cap on interest rates and changes to speed limits, have gained national prominence was also pleased that his nomination to be candidate was unopposed.

The Editor
Ross-shire Journal

Dear Sir

Alan MacRae (Ross-shire Journal 16th July) is quite right when he says that the SNP group on the Council set aside the funding for the care homes when it was in charge and I am proud of them for doing so. His LibDem colleagues, on the other hand, broke their promise and withdrew the funding despite having £60 million to spend this year.

Responsible government is all about making choices and the LibDems have chosen to privatise the care homes which will lead to poorer wages and conditions (a 30% reduction) for the carers and Mr MacRae can’t cover this up.

As for raising Council Tax, the SNP Government has funded Councils the equivalent of an inflationary increase each year and I don’t believe that anyone in Highland, apart from the LibDems, now wants a 20% rise in their Council Tax.

I fear Mr MacRae is putting up a smokescreen to hide the unpalatable truth about the LibDems in government, be it locally or nationally. They favour the rich over the poor and have abandoned their principles for power. How else do you explain broken promises on council housing debt, fuel prices, VAT on mountain rescue teams and trident missiles, to name just a few?

Yours sincerely,

Dave Thompson,
MSP Highlands and Islands (SNP)
Thorfin House
Bridgend Business Park
Dingwall

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Dave Thompson has today (Thursday) expressed his disappointment in a letter he has received from Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland.

In early July, Mr Thompson wrote to Mr Moore regarding the name of the proposed "Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch" constituency. Mr Thompson wrote to ask Mr Moore to contact the Boundary Commission as the name of the new constituency disregards the fact that over 45% of the people living in this new constituency actually live in the Dingwall, Black Isle and Loch Ness areas, and are not mentioned at all.

Highlands & Islands MSP Dave Thompson has today welcomed the launch by the Law Commissions of Scotland, England and Wales of a joint consultation on how rail laws can be modernised and made safer.

The Law Commissions reported today that level crossings pose the largest single risk of train accidents, resulting in 13 deaths last year, and that until now the law has never been subject to a general review.  It was also announced that a study on how much it would cost to replace dangerous crossings with bridges or tunnels will be undertaken.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) has taken the bold step of contacting directly residents in communities around the proposed reopened rail stop at Conon Bridge after becoming concerned by a constant flow of misinformation about funding responsibility for the facility from opposition politicians.

Mr Thompson, whose extensive campaign for improved rail safety measures in the Highlands has gained national prominence, is a keen supporter of a proposal to reopen the former rail stop at Conon Bridge and he has arranged a local meeting with the Transport Minister to try to move the issue forward.

Dave Thompson MSP will be available to meet constituents at:

• The West Highland Hotel, Davies Brae, Mallaig at 1300 28th July
• Caol Community Centre, Glenkingie St, Caol at 1100 31st July
• Fort William Library, Airds Crossing, Fort William at 1215 31st July

No Appointment needed, all welcome

As part of his tour of the West Highlands during the Scottish Parliament's summer recess, Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) visited the revitalised Staffin Sheepdog Trials, now part of the traditional discipline's flourishing Hebridean Tour.

Friday afternoon's event on the north of Skye had been suspended for several years until it was restarted last year to great success. Organisers were delighted to report a healthy entry from competitors from as faraway as New Zealand, the United States and Scandinavia in addition to entrants from all four nations in the UK and a healthy local entry.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) plans to spend all day on Saturday at one of the most remote parts of his huge region to lend his support to a week of celebrations by the local community on the Morvern peninsula in the West Highlands.

On Saturday hundreds of spectators and participants are expected to congregate at Knock Park in Lochaline for the Morvern Highland Games and Mr Thompson plans to be there to meet local community leaders and listen to issues of importance to local residents.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) has lambasted the latest U-turn of Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander. Now in Government he has abandoned yet more principles used to win the votes of Highlanders in the recent General Election.

Mr Thompson's attack followed news that Alexander has voted against an amendment to the Finance Bill which would have furthered the case of Mountain Rescue Teams whom he had previously supported in arguing that VAT on their equipment purchases should be refunded.

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) has boosted the coffers of a major charity and in return will be able to see an aspect of military life for many in his constituency for himself.

Last month (Friday June 26) Mr Thompson was invited to attend a fundraising event in aid of the British Red Cross at the Black Isle Showground and was thrilled to see displays of the valuable work carried out across Scotland by the organisation.