In Brief: Jamie Halcro Johnston in his own words says how he would address some of the key problems faced by the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, ranging from fuel poverty to transport
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On the eve of the Scottish Parliamentary elections, the Scottish Conservative's Jamie Halcro Johnston offers his answers – in brief – to some of the most significant issues facing the north ranging from fuel poverty to delivering healthcare after the pandemic to the housing crisis that is de-populating many areas and the problem of transport.
Jamie Halcro Johnston:
Fuel Poverty
“When the Fuel Poverty Bill came before the Scottish Parliament in 2019, I voted to ensure that new targets would be matched with accountability. Energy efficiency will only go so far, and the next parliament will need to take seriously how we support rapid change in domestic heat generation.
“And among those most at risk of fuel poverty are off-grid homes, which are far more common in our region. When rolling out new, lower emission energy solutions, these properties should not be left behind – they must, instead, be the priority. “That’s a positive for the planet – and a positive for people’s pockets too.
Healthcare
“In truth, we all know the benefits of having good quality local facilities too. Yet across Scotland cost-cutting has driven NHS boards toward centralisation: services moved to more distant hubs, local facilities threatened.
“In the Highlands we need an NHS that is accessible. Where basic, everyday services can be delivered in our communities without lengthy journeys by air, ferry or road.
Our growing older population will need these services nearby – as well as a social care system that meets the challenges of the future. And we shouldn’t have to tolerate lengthy delays, like those over the long-overdue construction of the New Belford.”
Housing
“There are plenty of things that can be done. Scottish Conservatives want to see real investment in schemes like the rural and island housing fund, piloting housing cooperatives and bringing unoccupied properties back into use rather than lying empty.
“But in places where it can happen, we need to also look at building new homes and making self-building and smaller developments more practical. We should also be considering what we build: homes that can complement the beautiful surroundings of this part of the world rather than detract from them, places where people want to raise a family, homes that are well serviced rather than putting pressure on existing infrastructure.”
Transport
“We know just how different our needs are from the Central Belt, which is why I believe a proper regional transport strategy is so essential, bringing together these issues with a real understanding of our local economy and local people’s needs.
“The Scottish Conservatives have set out some ambitious infrastructure plans for the next five years, including a new road bypassing the A83 Rest and Be Thankful and upgrading the A82 between Glasgow and Inverness. Before being elected, I was an early campaigner for dualling the A9 – something I desperately want to see delivered on time.
“In the year that the UN’s COP26 climate conference comes to Scotland, we’ve also been emphasising the importance of decarbonisation, promoting the use of electric vehicles and expanding charging facilities - as well as a more flexible and integrated public transport network.”
Read more of our election coverage here
