Sturgeon must ‘rip up’ Heathrow deal
[ad_1]
Nicola Sturgeon has been challenged to tear up a deal her Scottish Government signed with Heathrow Airport ahead of the global COP26 climate summit later this month.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, insisted that global leaders would not “take seriously” her commitment to tackle climate change unless she were to “rip up” the memorandum of understanding signed with the London Airport.
He made the challenge as he addressed a virtual conference of Scottish and Welsh Liberal Democrats.
Railcard
To tackle the climate emergency, the new Scottish Lib Dem leader said he wanted to offer “new hope for the climate emergency with fresh ideas for every part of the crisis facing our planet”.
He called for a new “railcard entitlement” so that everyone could benefit from significantly reduced train fares, encouraging them to travel by rail rather than boarding domestic flights.
He also argued that powers of air passenger duty, which are being devolved to Scotland, should be used to increase charges for those who fly more often.
He made the calls at the same time as he challenged the First Minister to cancel the “contract” her government had signed with Heathrow.
In October 2016, the Scottish Government formally backed a third runaway at that airport as it signed a memorandum of understanding linked to the benefits it believed this could bring to Scotland.
Aviation
With regard to that, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “I have three words for Nicola Sturgeon – rip it up.”
The Lib Dem leader added: “Rip up your contract in support of a third runway at Heathrow. And do it before COP26 lands in Glasgow.
“Because unless you do First Minister, I can’t take your commitment to the climate emergency seriously, and neither should the watching world.”
He said the Scottish Government had recently “admitted” climate change targets can not be met “if everyone flies as much as they used to”.
But he said calls from ministers for aviation to fall by a third from pre-pandemic levels were “just a statement” when at the same time the “Scottish Government holds a contract with the single biggest polluter in the entire United Kingdom – that’s Heathrow airport”.
Attack
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “The SNP talk the language of environmentalism but their economic policy is predicated on maximum extraction of fossil fuels from the North Sea and 75,000 extra flights between Scotland and London by 2040.”
He attacked the Scottish Government over it record on the NHS, as he called for ambulance waiting times – which have risen during the coronavirus crisis – to be published weekly.
And he made his clear his opposition to “deceptive plans” from the SNP administration to establish a new National Care Service.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “Unlike the NHS it won’t offer care that is free at the point of delivery. And it does so to hide what it truly is – another SNP power grab.”
He announced the creation of a new Liberal Democrat Commission for a Just Economy, to be chaired by former MSP Lord Purvis.
Reset
This will make recommendations to next year’s party conference to “reset our liberal vision for Scotland” with a focus on areas such as social justice and human rights.
The conference was his first since taking on the job of Scottish Liberal Democrat leader in August. And while he said some had described it as a “toughest job in Scottish politics” he insisted it would “not be anywhere else”.
Mr Cole-Hamilton asked party activists: “Do you ever get that feeling of being exactly where you’re meant to be? Well I feel that.
“Leading our party, right here and right now. I feel it in the canvass sessions I join and in the local party meetings I attend, I feel it when I lead for our party in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament. I would not be anywhere else.
“We’ve been written off and counted out every step of my political career, we’ve come back stronger and we’ve come back harder. I would not be anywhere else. I’ve been told that I am currently doing the toughest job in Scottish Politics, well I’m already loving it and I’m just getting started.”
This Author
Katrine Bussey is the PA Scotland political editor.
[ad_2]
Original Post
Thanks, I’ve recently been searching for info about this subject for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the supply?
As a Newbie, I am permanently browsing online for articles that can be of assistance to me. Thank you
I’d must verify with you here. Which isn’t something I often do! I enjoy reading a submit that can make individuals think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
Great web site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you for your sweat!
Good blog! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
I cling on to listening to the news update lecture about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?
What Is Puravive? Puravive is a weight loss supplement that works to treat obesity by speeding up metabolism and fat-burning naturally.
I’ve been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours lately, yet I by no means found any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely value sufficient for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you did, the net will likely be much more useful than ever before.
You actually make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I find this topic to be really something that I think I might never understand. It seems too complex and very large for me. I am having a look ahead on your subsequent submit, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!
What Is Puravive? Before we delve into the various facets of the supplement, let’s start with the most important
Lottery Defeater Software? Lottery Defeater is a software application created to help people win lotteries
I¦ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Studying this information So i¦m satisfied to show that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most unquestionably will make sure to don¦t put out of your mind this web site and give it a glance regularly.
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I am quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!