Sole Tory MP in Scotland on Fishing

Fishing still "expendable" to the Tories
The Tories false promises on the future of fishing in Scotland have been sunk by their only Scottish MP.

The SNP has today highlighted comments from David Mundell who previously warned fishermen and voters that “the idea we would go back to a position where we were entirely in control of our own fishing is not one that is realistic.”

And that “the fishermen are wrong” over Brexit and “there is no way we would go back to Scotland or Britain controlling British waters.”

His comments are backed up by Theresa May’s plans for Brexit, where the Tories say:

“Given the heavy reliance on UK waters of the EU fishing industry and the importance of EU waters to the UK, it is in both our interests to reach a mutually beneficial deal that works for the UK and the EU’s fishing communities.”

Theresa May previously warned that Brexit negotiations wouldn’t make EU fishermen any poorer.

In addition leaked priorities for the Brexit negotiations described fishing as “low priority” for the UK Government.

Commenting, SNP MSP Maree Todd said:

“David Mundell has sunk the Tories efforts to hide the truth from Scotland’s fishing communities.

“The SNP is the only party that will always stand up for Scotland’s fishing industry – unlike the Tories, who infamously and shamefully described our fishing fleets as ‘expendable’.

“And with fishing described as a low priority in the Brexit talks, it is clear the Tories are preparing to sell out the industry again.

“Scotland’s fishing communities will always be a priority for the SNP.

“At this election a vote for the SNP will send a warning to the Tories that they will not get away with selling out Scotland’s fishing communities for a second time.”

Tories Must Apologise to Crofters Over "Unbelievably Patronising" Attack

Tory MSP Peter Chapman has been criticised as “unbelievably patronising” for personally attacking three members of the Scottish Land Commission as “not real farmers”.

The Tory rural affairs spokesperson made the bizarre attack on the Commission members, saying that “looking at this list of appointments, there isn’t a single real farmer on here.”

He continued: “You can’t call someone with two sheep and a back garden a farmer.”

Two of the Commission members are crofters, while a third is a partner on a 650 acre farm.

Commenting, SNP MSP Maree Todd said:

“This is an unbelievably patronising attack and the Tories must swiftly apologise for describing crofters as ‘not real farmers’.

“Unlike some Tory MSPs, not all of Scotland’s farmers and crofters have estates large enough to parade as Laird of the Manor – but they deserve better than to be belittled by the opposition.

“Peter Chapman should apologise to Scotland’s crofters – and he should apologise to the Land Commission members themselves for this needlessly personal, unprofessional attack.”