by Rona Mackay
The Scottish National Party is to seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence in the wake of the landslide SNP Scottish Parliament victory where the SNP won almost every constituency with a defence presence.
Westminster SNP Leader and Defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP has written to Defence Secretary Liam Fox saying “The Scottish elections saw the SNP defeating all of the London parties and the UK government must reassess its plans to close further military facilities in Scotland”.
The Moray MP who represents RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss pointed out to the Secretary of State that the SNP now represents almost every single constituency with a strong defence interest.
In his letter Mr Robertson said: “Scotland voted overwhelmingly for the SNP, the only party in the Scottish Parliament election campaign with a manifesto commitment to stand up for defence communities. The SNP now represents all of Scotland’s constituencies with airbases, all of the country’s barracks and came first in the region which is home to the Clyde naval base.
“The Scottish elections saw the SNP defeating all of the London parties and the UK government must reassess its plans to close further military facilities in Scotland. We reject the continuing disproportionate defence cuts that the past and present London governments have foisted on Scotland.
“Scottish taxpayers contribute their fair share towards the Ministry of Defence and the MOD is happy to recruit personnel from Scotland, so the UK government should take their responsibilities to all of the nations and regions of the UK seriously. Given that there are ongoing meetings with the Ministry of Defence about the basing review I would be grateful for the earliest meeting.”
