Jamie Halcro Johnston

TEST

2006-05-02T09:59:00.001Z

2006-05-02T09:59:00.000Z

2006-03-14T16:19:00.000Z

2006-02-24T14:34:00.000Z

2005-11-09T15:56:00.000Z

2005-11-08T11:22:00.000Z

Thanks for voting Scottish Conservative

2005-05-12T14:22:00.000Z

Many thanks to all those that voted for me and for the Scottish Conservatives on May 5th.

We increased our vote, regained second place and took a step forward to regaining the seat at the next election. I would also like to thank all those who welcomed me on the doorsteps of Moray, for those that worked on our campaign and for all those who continue to sign the petition in Buckie.

Moray Conservatives will continue to work on behalf of people in Moray, fight Moray's corner and make Moray's voice heard.

Many Thanks

Jamie

Halcro Johnston calls for apology over SNP remarks

2005-04-12T16:40:00.000Z

Moray Conservative Candidate Jamie Halcro Johnston has called for an apology from the SNP’s Angus Robertson after the SNP candidate referred to Conservatives as “anti Scottish”.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston “While Mr Robertson’s reference to Conservatives as ‘anti-scottish’ may appeal to certain members of the SNP, it’s just the sort of unpleasant rhetoric that has seen the electorate become so disillusioned with the Nationalists.

“As a Scot and a Scottish Conservative, I need to take no lessons from the SNP on patriotism. I care passionately about my country, as do all the Scottish Conservatives I work with.

“These kind of remarks are not only ridiculous, but also insulting to the thousands of Scots who vote Conservative, both in Moray and across Scotland, at every election; a number that is increasing every year, while support for the SNP is in freefall.

“The SNP should apologise for these comments and I hope Mr Robertson will refrain from making such unhelpful remarks in the future”.

SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES ARE SCOTLAND’S TRUE NATIONAL PARTY

2005-04-09T17:23:00.000Z

The Scottish Conservatives are Scotland’s true national party.

Labour have betrayed Scotland’s six historic Army regiments and Scotland’s fishermen. Their enthusiastic support of the Common Fisheries Policy has led to the systematic decimation of our fishing industry, and if the current trend continues there will be no fishing industry in Scotland. And their crass cuts to our Army at a time when they are fighting on behalf of our country have staggered and alienated the nation.

Most Scots are thinking what we’re thinking – Labour deserve to pay for their betrayal. Conservatives are determined to take action on these issues because they really matter to Scots.

In this regard, it is clear that the Conservatives are Scotland’s true national party. The SNP cannot withdraw from the CFP as they cannot form a UK government. And the SNP cannot save our regiments because they cannot form a UK government.
The reality is that if Alex Salmond and his colleagues really cared about Scotland’s fishing industry and regiments, they would do the honest thing and encourage people to vote Scottish Conservative on May 5th. The question for Alex Salmond is ‘Do you really care enough about Scotland to do that?’

The choice on May 5th is clear. The demise of our fishing industry and our regiments under Labour, or the end of the CFP and the restoration of Scotland six regiments under the party that really stands up for Scotland, the Scottish Conservatives.

Time for a change in Moray

2005-04-08T18:14:00.000Z

The declaration that the General Election will be held, as expected, on May 5th gives us all a chance to reflect on Labour’s record nationally and the SNP’s record here in Moray. The truth is that the last 8 years of Labour in Government and the SNP in this constituency have been 8 years of failure for the people of Moray. I want local people to think long and hard and imagine 5 more years of it.

In the last 8 years under Labour, there are over 9,000 more patients on hospital waiting lists. Attacks on school staff are up 900%. Violent crime is up 16%, rape and attempted rape up 34%, and drug crime up 38%. There are over 270,000 failed asylum seekers living in Britain who shouldn’t be here. And the average family pays £5,000 more every year in tax than they did in 1997, with council tax going up at astonishing rates every year.

Moray needs to change direction, and it has a chance to do so on May 5th. The choice is clear. More sick people languishing on waiting lists, more violent attacks on teachers, more serious crime, more chaos in the asylum system, higher taxes and more waste under Labour. Or shorter waiting lists through choice and competition, power in the hands of head teachers to expel disruptive pupils, more police on the streets and proper punishment of criminals, fair, controlled asylum and immigration and value for money and lower taxes under the Conservatives.

Labour won’t deliver for Moray and the SNP can’t. Only the Conservatives are both able and committed to fighting on Moray’s behalf.

I believe the people of Moray are ready to make that choice and vote Scottish Conservative on May 5th.

Conservative Environment Spokesman visits Spey erosion sites

2005-03-22T17:40:00.000Z

Moray Westminster Candidate Jamie Halcro Johnston and Scottish Conservative Environment Spokesman Alex Johnstone MSP yesterday (Monday) visited Garmouth and Kingston to see erosion being done by the Spey in the villages

They were joined by the Chairman of Garmouth Amenities Committee John Fettes, who showed them the sites where the Spey had caused the most damage.

Said Jamie Halcro Johnston “Alex and I visited a number of sites along the Spey to see areas where the erosion is at its worst. There has been a serious worsening of the problem even since I was last here a few months ago.

“There can be no argument that there is a serious problem with the Spey here – a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

”What is so concerning is that nobody seems willing to take responsibility for the problem. I will be writing to the Crown Estate to make it clear in no uncertain terms that action is needed and action is needed now”.

Alex Johnstone, who as Scottish Conservative Environment Spokesman has responsibility for flooding and coastal erosion, said it was easy to see how the damage was being done.

Said Alex Johnstone “It was quite an eye opener to stand on the fairway at the golf club and have the Spey thundering past only a few feet away. It is easy to see how the damage is being done.

“I will be reporting back to the Conservative group at in the Scottish Parliament on the situation here, and I am aware that my colleague Jamie McGrigor is writing to the Scottish Executive to raise his concerns over the lack of any action to address the problem”.

Halcro Johnston attacks decision to allow Spain to police fishing grounds

2005-03-22T16:44:00.000Z

In response to the announcement by EU Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers that the European Agency for Fishery Control is to be based in Vigo, Spain, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Conservative Candidate for Moray, said:

"It is outrageous that the body that's supposed to police our fishing grounds is being given to Spain. Spain's fishermen are devastating our seas. The Common Fisheries Policy has been a disaster for the environment and for our fishermen. It's a classic case of where Brussels has too much power.

"The real mystery is why Mr Blair agreed to the deal in the first place and why he wants to give the EU more control over our lives in a host of other areas.

"Following the revelation that Spain recently used illegal drift nets and discarded 65% of fish caught, I’ve no doubt that Moray-based fishermen will find it completely perverse that the Government is allowing fishing to be directed from Vigo.”

UK government and Executive need to support Moray in wake of RAF job cuts.

2005-03-11T18:30:00.000Z

Labour has confirmed its latest defence cuts. Almost 900 jobs will be lost from RAF Lossiemouth & RAF Kinloss. I share the concern and anger of Moray residents at this devastating news which has the potential to do severe damage to the Moray economy and local communities.

Like others, I am angry at the way the government announced this major news - we deserved better than a written statement and this point needs to be made strongly and vocally to the Armed Forces Minister.

Moray Council is absolutely right to call on the UK government and the Scottish Executive to provide real and substantial support to it, and indeed the other relevant agencies in the area, to tackle the economic problems that these jobs cuts might create. Indeed we need to be looking at establishing a major, multi-agency task force to mitigate these job losses as soon as possible.

Labour has once again badly let down our armed forces personnel in Moray, their families and all the communities of which they are such an intrinsic part. Labour simply cannot be trusted to do the best for our armed services; we need to see the return of a Conservative government to ensure they get the support they deserve.

SNP can't deliver on post service

2005-03-09T21:32:00.000Z

Angus Robertson made a numbers of comments last week on the ending of the Royal Mail’s 350 year monopoly. All very well, but could Angus advise us what postal service or provision Scotland would have under the SNP?

With large remote areas in Scotland and with a far smaller population than the Royal Mail currently operates with, can Angus guarantee that, under the SNP’s post service, no rural post offices would have to close, that no services would have to be cut and that the Universal Service would remain?

Like on so many things, but unlike the Royal Mail, on this I doubt the SNP can deliver.

Halcro Johnston attacks Labour’s “appalling” record on manufacturing jobs”

2005-03-09T20:36:00.000Z

Local Conservative Candidate Jamie Halcro Johnston has rounded on what he calls Labour’s appalling record on manufacturing jobs.

Mr Halcro Johnston accused Labour of presiding over a massive loss of
manufacturing jobs in Britain, while at the same time creating an army of taxpayer-financed bureaucrats.

Jamie, who along with Scottish Conservative leader David McLetchie recently visited local Keith business Wm.R.Simmers, was speaking ahead of the release of official figures that are set to show that around one million factory posts have disappeared since Labour came to power in 1997.

Said Jamie “According to the Office for National Statistics, 985,000 industrial workers were axed by last autumn, while studies - and uprated official data to be published with the Budget - are expected to show that thousands more were lost over the winter period.

“At the same time, hundreds of thousands of new positions have been created in the public sector which, paid for from public funds, has enabled Tony Blair and Gordon Brown to boast about Britain's low level of unemployment.

“In the last three years of the last Conservative government, manufacturing employment rose by 150,000. Britain is now 11th instead of fourth in the international competitiveness league. At the same time we have seen a big rise in public sector bureaucratic jobs.

“To see more examples of successful local manufacturing businesses - to see more companies like Wm.R.Simmers - we have to lift the regulatory burden and lighten the tax load instead of adding 15 new regulations per working day, and imposing 66 new stealth taxes.

“This is what the Conservatives will deliver and only the Conservatives can replace Labour to form the next government”.

Halcro Johnston: "Labour giving with one hand and taking away with the other"

2005-03-01T18:10:00.000Z

Commenting on news that the national minimum wage will rise, Conservatives Westminster Candidate for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston said this was a case of Labour giving with one hand and taking away with the other.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston “A Conservative Government will implement the changes in the minimum wage that have been announced by Labour, which are consistent with rises in average earnings.

"However, it’s ironic that Mr Blair prides himself on announcing increases in the minimum wage at a time when four million people, including many in Keith who are on the minimum wage, have started paying income tax and national insurance as a result of the stealth taxes imposed by his Government.

"If ever there was a case of giving with one hand and taking away with the other, this is it."

Halcro Johnston slams LibDem stealth tax on new Moray homes

2005-03-01T18:00:00.000Z

The Liberal Democrats are planning a new stealth tax on all new houses, Conservative Westminster Candidate for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston has warned.

He was responding as Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy unveiled his party's housing policy, with the Liberal Democrats indicating that they would make new houses less affordable by slapping VAT on all new build properties and renovations. Calculated at between 5 and 7 per cent on the cost of an average priced home of £158,248, this would mean a tax of £11,000 on top of the purchase price.

Jamie said: "This is typical Lib Dem hypocrisy. They claim that they want to help people on to the property ladder, but the small print of their policies reveals how they intend to price even more people out of the housing market. They want to slap a costly new tax on housing which would hit those on lower incomes the hardest.

“For every new house, the seller would face an extra charge - most of which would be directly passed to the buyer. This would be extremely damaging in Moray where so many young people struggle to find affordable homes.

“Only last week Lib Dem Councillor Linda Gorn spoke of the need for more land to be designated around Keith for housing purposes. Now the LibDems are putting forward a policy that will make it even harder for young people to get on the housing ladder in Moray”.

SNP windfarm policy going round and round

2005-02-26T18:10:00.000Z

Despite his carefully crafted letter in the Northern Scot, is anyone any the wiser on what Angus Robertson’s position on the Drummuir windfarm development actually is? He claims to be in favour of maximising renewable energy, says there should be a balanced approach and believes preference should be given to offshore energy. All things I can agree with him on as long as maximising renewable energy isn’t at the expense of Moray and the people who live here.

However, he fails to state whether he actually supports or opposes the windfarm at Drummuir. Perhaps the SNP website clarifies Mr Robertson’s stance as it states the SNP position - “With 25% of Europe's wind resources……..Scotland has the opportunity to become Europe's powerhouse for cheap, clean energy”. With limited offshore sites available or feasible, that statement would suggest the SNP are firmly supportive of onshore wind developments if Scotland is to become the European wind “powerhouse” they want. That would also suggest, unless Mr Robertson is to be accused of NIMBYism, that he must believe Moray will have to play its part is that wind revolution.

So, while the Drummuir development is contrary to local public opinion and opposed by Moray Council who rejected it, it is to be foisted on Moray by a Labour and Liberal Democrat Executive desperate to hit self-imposed targets. Scottish Conservatives believe there should be a moratorium on all locally opposed wind developments, such as in the case of Drummuir.

And with reference to Mr Robertson’s description of my party as “unelectable”, it is Scottish Conservatives that people in Scotland are electing at national and local levels in increasing numbers and the SNP that are seeing their political representation decrease. I would therefore suggest Mr Robertson leaves decisions about who is electable or not to the people of Moray to decide.

Vote SNP - get CFP

2005-02-10T13:25:00.000Z

While the SNP continue with their increasingly desperate attempts to try and make capital out of the decision to take the UK into the Common Fisheries Policy some 30 years ago, it must be pointed out that the SNP themselves backed Britain’s membership of the CFP until as recently as 3 years ago.

Indeed, while SNP representatives might have had discussions with Conservative Government Ministers on the subject, those SNP representatives would still have supported the CFP. And, while it is pointless to deny that Ted Heath's obsession with the EEC blinded him to the long-term damage this might do to the fishing industry, it’s that same obsession that the Euro-fanatic SNP of today still subscribes to. The SNP are still Euro-fanatic and Europe still wants the CFP. “Vote SNP – get CFP” would be their election slogan if they were being honest.

The SNP has undergone a series of policy somersaults over fishing. Having initially opposed membership, SNP policy for years has been to keep Scotland within the CFP. Only in their recent shameless attempts to prop up their collapsing fishing vote have they finally adopted the Tory policy of withdrawal.

I would also point out that Buckie has not only been visited recently by David McLetchie, but also by Scottish Conservative Fisheries Spokesman Ted Brocklebank MSP and Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Peter Duncan MP. The only time the SNP appeared was when there was a by-election and even then SNP suffered a humiliating collapse in their vote.

The reason why is simple. Fishermen want a solution and virtually the whole fishing community believes that solution is withdrawal from the CFP. When they look at who can deliver withdrawal the choice is clear - Labour and the Lib Dems won’t deliver and the SNP can’t deliver.

Only the Tories are capable of delivering national control. That is why our proposals have been warmly welcomed in this very paper by Tom Hay of FAL, and why they have welcomed by Billy Hughes of the Fishermen’s Mutual Assurance and virtually every other member of the fishing community who has spoken on the subject.

Those of us who care about Scotland’s fishing communities and have seen the consequences of the CFP and the decimation of Scotland’s historic fishing fleet are in no doubts that the only future for the industry is outwith the CFP.

If the SNP were honest about withdrawal they would advise their supporters in the coastal communities to vote Conservative at the forthcoming election because voting SNP cannot get the UK out of the CFP. Only voting Conservative can.

Jamie joins Regiments Campaign launch

2005-02-04T13:16:00.000Z

Jamie joined campaigners from across Scotland on Thursday at a poster launch in Edinburgh organised by the Save the Scottish Regiments campaign.

Jamie, who is campaigning to save the current six Scottish regiments as well as Moray two RAF bases at Kinloss and Lossiemouth, pledged to continue the fight against plans he described as illogical.

Said Jamie “Labour arrogant attitude to the real concerns of people in Moray over the future of Scotland’s regiments and our local RAF bases has been in stark contrast to the commitment of those of us fighting to save them.

”Labour’s plans are based on nothing more than on the need for cuts ordered by Gordon Brown. That is not the way to run a defence policy and is wholly irresponsible.

“While Labour threatens the six historic regiments and Labour threatens our RAF bases at Kinloss and Lossiemouth, Conservatives have made it quite clear we will halt Labour's illogical plans.

“I am determined that we will save both bases and all six regiments, and ensure that Scotland, and Moray in particular, continues to play a vital and strategic role in helping Britain meet her military and humanitarian commitments across the world.

“Only the Conservatives can replace Labour as the next Westminster government and achieve this. Labour is proposing the cuts, while the SNP and Lib Dems will not form a government and can do nothing to stop them”.

Halcro Johnston: “Pension credit figures show Government letting down Moray pensioners”

2005-02-03T13:19:00.000Z

Jamie Halcro Johnston, Conservative Westminster Candidate for Moray, has cited the latest official information on take up rates for the Government’s complicated pension credit as further evidence that Labour is letting down local pensioners.

Commenting Jamie Halcro Johnston said “Labour will be embarrassed by yet another demonstration that the Pension Credit isn't reaching many of the people it is supposed to help. Take-up of the Pension Credit has now slowed almost to a standstill.

"This isn't just incompetence on the part of the Government – it is an unavoidable consequence of the system Gordon Brown has designed. If you force pensioners to rely on complicated means-tested benefits, it is inevitable that many won't get the money they're entitled to.

“Conservatives offer a better deal for pensioners in Moray. We will increase the basic pension in line with average earnings. This would provide an extra £7.00 a week for single pensioners and an extra £11.00 a week for pensioner couples.

“We want to see pensioners taken off the demeaning and discredited means testing system; we will take action now to sort the pensions crisis and give moray pensioners a better deal”.

Good news for Lossiemouth, but what does it mean for Kinloss?

2004-12-10T12:52:00.000Z

Commenting on reports that the future of RAF Lossiemouth appears to be secure, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston said:

”Obviously these reports are welcome, but it is important to keep the pressure on the Government. Ivor Caplin’s letter states that the Government ‘expects’ the Tornado GR4 to remain at Lossiemouth till 2018; from this Labour Government, that can hardly be considered a firm commitment.

“It also asks the question, if the Government is making decisions ‘irrespective’ of the Defence Airfield Review, why hold the review in the first place? Why could an answer on Lossiemouth’s future not have been made earlier? And what is the future for Kinloss?

“The Government must give a firm and unambiguous commitment on Lossiemouth, and also make a decision on Kinloss so that the uncertainty over the future of that base can end”.

Mr Halcro Johnston also expressed concern that some of Moray’s service voters may not be able to vote in the next General Election due to a little known change in legislation.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston “This situation is deeply worrying, and it may have a major impact here in Moray. The recent legislative changes are not without complication, so the Government cannot seriously believe most people will know the “ins and outs” of it.

”It is unreasonable to expect all serving personnel and their families to be aware that they have to register for the right to vote on a yearly basis.

“Of course the whole situation is thick with irony. We could be left with a situation where we have someone serving his or her country in Iraq, whilst the government are fighting an election with a pledge to close their airbase or abolish their regiment, yet that serviceman or woman isn’t even able to have a say on it. This is wrong.

“The drop in the number of service personnel registered to vote around Scotland is startling. Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan MP is addressing this issue with urgency, and I will looking at this issue in Moray”.

FUEL TAX FREEZE ONLY SHORT-TERM WARNS HALCRO JOHNSTON

2004-12-08T11:17:00.000Z

Westminster Conservative candidate for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston has warned of rises in fuel tax in Moray if a Labour Government is returned next year.

Mr Halcro Johnston said Chancellor Gordon Brown’s announcement that he would not introduce a 1.9p rise in fuel tax was only a temporary reprieve, and much worse was to come if Labour won a third term.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston “Nobody in Moray should be fooled by Gordon Brown – he’s all talk. This was his rise, so it’s more than a little bit disingenuous to pretend he’s the saviour of the motorist just because he decided against his own rise in fuel tax.

“Ultimately, it is clear that the only reason he changed his mind is because he was worried about the impact it would have on Labour votes in areas like Moray.

“To talk about OPEC production and the world oil price as if they are the crucial contributors to the pump prices is a total abdication of his responsibility. The simple fact is that if you go to a petrol station in Elgin, Forres, Buckie, Keith, Fochabers, Aberlour or any other area of Moray, the vast bulk of the pump cost of petrol is fuel duty which goes straight into the Government’s pocket.

“Scotland has the highest fuel duty in Europe, and that is especially true in rural areas like Moray. Rural Scotland already has the second highest pump price in Europe, and the last thing Scotland needs is the Kirkcaldy Conman committing yet another highway robbery.

“We must ensure that the pump price of petrol in Moray does not spiral out of control. Gordon Brown has already raised tax 66 times - another fuel tax rise will be on the way if he wins a third term.”

Halcro Johnston signs St.Andrews Day Contract with Scotland

2004-12-01T17:39:00.000Z

Jamie Halcro Johnston has joined other leading Scottish Conservatives in pledging to “restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives”.

The Party’s Moray Parliamentary Spokesman joined Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan MP, Scottish Leader David McLetchie MSP and other leading Scottish Conservatives on St.Andrews Day in signing a Contract with Scotland, saying it was time to put accountability back into Scottish politics.

Commenting after launching the website www.contractwithscotland.com, Mr Halcro Johnston said “All we ever hear from Labour is how everything is wonderful and that it’s getting better all the time.

“The 112,000 people on our waiting lists know that things are getting worse. The headteacher hospitalised by an eight-year-old boy, and her colleagues who face an assault from their pupils every 12 minutes know that things are getting worse. The victims of crimes committed by people who should still be in jail know that things are getting worse. And the families and pensioners who have had their funds raided by Labour know that things are getting worse.

“Labour are all talk. We are all about action. Our Contract with Scotland is a written commitment with no small print. We say what we mean, and we mean what we say. It’s time to put accountability back into Scottish politics. Government should be accountable to the people, not the other way around. We will be accountable to the people of Scotland, and we seek their mandate for our reforms to improve their country.”

Mr McLetchie added:

“Today Conservatives have cut through the waffle. We are putting our trust in the Scottish people by supporting the families and communities which are the backbone of our great nation. We are Scotland’s true national party, standing up for the interests of all our people. That is why we will maintain their security by reversing any cuts to Scotland’s regiments. We will give our children a better chance in early life by ensuring they and their teachers work in a secure and peaceful environment. We will give older people security in later life by guaranteeing them a decent pension. We will ensure sick people have fast access to treatment in better, cleaner hospitals. And we will put the rights of victims before those of criminals.”

Go to www.contractwithscotland.com to see the full text.

Surely we all aspire for Scotland

2004-11-29T15:59:00.000Z

Dear Madam,

I can assure Norma (letters – last week) that I was not intentionally being a “wee rascal”, merely pointing out a few, say, flaws in her original letter. Indeed, I started off broadly sympathising with her response. Certainly the Nationalists appear to mount a bandwagon with all the ease of John Wayne mounting a trusty stead.

In Norma’s reply, she argues that those who earn the most should pay the most tax – but they already do as salaries are subject to income tax. She calls for action on indirect taxation – can’t agree more, and that’s why Conservatives have consistently highlighted and opposed Labour’s stealth taxes. She is concerned that Dungavel is not a suitable place for children – no arguments here, and Shadow Secretary of Scotland Peter Duncan MP has said Dungavel would be closed under a Tory Government.

I certainly don’t agree that encouraging efficiency and value for money in local government means cutting services, and I’m sure that all those Moray taxpayers who have watched their council tax bills escalate under the Independent Council, and previously under the SNP, would agree with that.

And I’m certainly not upset by her “fat cat” comment. I just think it’s complete nonsense and assure Norma that, like myself, most of my friends earn considerably less than any Socialist MSP.

I am, however, disappointed by her suggestion that most people go into politics to serve themselves; that may be Norma’s experience but it is not mine. I’m involved in politics because I want to help make a difference to peoples’ lives and understand that this will not be done by ranting and raving but by developing, costing and then implementing policies that will make real differences to our country.

And surely the SSP understand that making a difference requires debate. And why, if the Socialists are so opposed to the Parliament, if they really believe it to be full of hot air, did they vote for it and then seek election to it? Why stand for a Parliament, and take salary from it, if you don’t support the work it does?

I would also strongly make clear that neither do I think Rosie Kane is being dishonest, nor did I suggest as such – I’m not really sure why Norma’s so over-sensitive about it. Perhaps it’s because her suggestion that the SSP’s debt results from their morale stance of not taking donations from large companies is made to look somewhat ridiculous when, in the very next line, we are reminded of Rosie’s money from the Sunday Mail. That would be the same Sunday Mail that is owned by Trinity Mirror, the UK's biggest newspaper publisher and, I would suggest, pretty big business.

Norma, you and I are at the opposite ends of the political spectrum but I genuinely believe we want the same things. I’m sure we both want a better, fairer Scotland. We want a Scotland in which NHS waiting lists are low, where all children get the best education, where all people are safe to walk any street without fear of attack. It is only how we plan to achieve these things, and on independence, where we are different.

I appreciate the importance of the SSP to the Scottish Parliament and to Scottish politics. Indeed I would argue that, with the SNP in disarray, it is the SSP that have been the loudest voice for independence.

I am sure we will both continue to aspire for Scotland; we will just have to disagree on how those aspirations are achieved.

Yours Sincerely

Jamie Halcro Johnston
Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray
Brumley Brae
ELGIN
Moray
IV30 5PP

Halcro Johnston pledges action on tax for moray’s low and middle income earners

2004-11-16T13:02:00.000Z

Conservative candidate for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston has backed new Tory proposals to cut the level of tax on low and middle income earners in Moray.

Ahead of the Government’s annual mini-Budget at the beginning of December, a new Conservative consultation paper proposes a number of ways in which more people on lower incomes can be taken out of tax completely, and how many on middle incomes can be freed from having to pay punitive, top rates of income tax.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston “Estimates suggest that since 1997, due to Labour’s stealth tax increases in income tax thresholds and National Insurance, an average of 6,400 more people in Moray on low incomes have now being dragged into the tax system. That figure includes part-time workers on the minimum wage, students working weekends to pay their tuition fees, and pensioners receiving just £60 a week from a personal pension.

“Another 2,000 more people on average are now paying top rates of income tax, including deputy head teachers, police inspectors, warrant officers in the armed services, and many hospital matrons.

“Labour promised not to raise tax at all but have, 66 times so far, and independent experts agree that if he were to be re-elected, taxes will have to go up yet again.

Already too much of Moray taxpayers’ money is being wasted, and high taxes are undermining incentives to work, to save and to invest. Conservatives believe families and businesses across Moray know better how to spend or invest their money than politicians.

“We need action to ensure all taxpayers get value for money, to thin down fat government, and ensure that hard working families and pensioners and those on modest and middle incomes across Moray receive a fairer deal.”

Scottish Conservatives want to reduce the burden of taxation for all

2004-11-15T11:55:00.000Z

It’s a shame that the Scottish Socialists, and the Scottish Nationalists for that, can’t see beyond their blinkered left-wing ideologies and look at the real problems facing tax payers in Scotland.

Scots are paying too much tax; surely we can agree on that. But while the SSP and the SNP want to shift the burden of over-taxation onto Moray’s middle classes, Scottish Conservatives want to reduce the burden of taxation for all.

That means demanding increased efficiency from local councils and efficiency doesn’t have to mean cutting services; it means getting value for money. It means costing schemes properly and ensuring that huge sums of money are not spent on white elephant projects. It means reducing ring-fencing from central government and allowing Moray Council to direct central funding to where it is needed most, be that roads, flood alleviation measures, tourism investment or other areas.

As for Norma Anderson’s fat cats comments, I would remind her that, while SSP politicians might claim to give half their salary to their party, they still cost the taxpayer the same as other politicians. The only difference is that, whilst Brian Monteith has a 100% committee attendance record, the SSP members’ attendance rates are 83% for Rosemary Byre, 78% for Carolyn Leckie, 73% for Colin Fox, 71% for Tommy Sheridan, 56% for Frances Curran, and albeit with a period of illness, only 43% for Rosie Kane. It might also be of interest that Ms Kane is registered as receiving a remuneration of £10,000-£15,000 per annum for a column in the Sunday Mail.

Regiments U-turn a boost For Moray bases campaign

2004-11-10T11:14:00.000Z

Local Conservative candidate Jamie Halcro Johnston has given a cautious welcome to reports that the Government is to change its mind on the abolition of the Scottish Regiments.

Mr Halcro Johnston said, if the reports were true, Labour had realised that they would lose votes because of their planned cuts and said the news was a boost to those campaigning to save Moray’s airbases.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston “If reports are accurate and it is true that four of our regiments will remain, it just goes to show what Conservative pressure can achieve.

“At last, Labour is waking up to the fact that these cuts are deeply unpopular and that Labour risk losing votes as a result. However, the campaign cannot stop here and the Scottish Conservatives will continue to fight to save the Royal Scots and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and ensure all six regiments are maintained are single battalion regiments.

“The news should also be a real boost to those fighting to save Moray’s airbases. It has been proved that no Labour decision is cast in stone and that this discredited Government is susceptible to pressure being put on them.

“Labour has made one u-turn on the regiments; we must force it to make another on Moray’s RAF bases”.

Comment on RAF Kinloss squadron loss

2004-11-03T11:58:00.000Z

Commenting on reports that RAF Kinloss is to lose one of its three Nimrod squadrons by April 2005, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston said:

“Following the recent announcement of nearly 400 jobs losses at RAF Lossiemouth, this news is another blow to Moray and the concern must be where it will end?

“What are the Government’s final plans for RAF Kinloss? What are the Government’s final plans for RAF Lossiemouth? This drip drip tactic cut announcements just makes it harder for Moray to plan for the future. The Government must make its plans for Moray’s bases known.

“I will be writing to Geoff Hoon to ask him to clarify the Government’s plans for Moray’s bases and will be asking Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan MP and Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames MP to keep the pressure on the Government at Westminster”.

Halcro Johnston welcomes Howard pledge to stop whisky strip stamps

2004-10-25T20:16:00.000Z

Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston has welcomed a commitment from Conservative Party Leader Michael Howard to scrap Labour plans for whisky strip stamps.

Michael Howard said an incoming Conservative government next year would halt the introduction of strip stamps on Scotch whisky, proposals by Labour which Mr Halcro Johnston said have been fiercely opposed by the Scotch whisky industry.

Speaking today, Mr Halcro Johnston commented “Strip stamps are an unfair burden on a vitally important industry and there is no clear evidence that they are an effective way to tackle fraud. The Government’s plans to introduce strip stamps against the advice of the industry show that Labour clearly isn’t listening to Moray.

"While few would argue that issues surrounding fraud need to be addressed, the way to do that is not by introducing unproven strip stamps against the advice of those that know the industry best. Conservatives would sit down with the Scotch Whisky Association and other interested bodies to put in place a fraud prevention method which is not so damaging to such a crucial Scottish industry.

”This commitment from Michael Howard is great news for Moray. Moray is Scotland’s major whisky producing area, home to more than 50% of Scotch malt whisky distilleries. It is a vital economic generator locally and Michael’s announcement shows that, under the Tories, it will continue to be so”.

Letter to the Editor - 12th October 2004

2004-10-12T10:00:00.000Z

To the Editor

12th October 2004

Dear Madam,

I was extremely disappointed to read Angus Robertson’s comments in last week’s Northern Scot (8th October) regarding Michael Howard’s statement on Moray’s airbases. So much for Mr Robertson’s claims of cross party unity against the threat to the bases.

And I would ask Angus Robertson which part of “we would do everything to keep them [the bases] open” does he fail to understand? All that Michael Howard didn’t do was make off the cuff promises simply to win votes – something that the SNP could learn from.

People are fed up with the SNP making promises they simply cannot or will not need to keep. And how much are SNP promises worth anyway? I recently heard one SNP politician, when asked about the SNP leadership, state "if nominated, I would decline. If drafted, I will defer and, if elected, I will resign." Alex Salmond has failed to decline, defer or resign; so much for SNP promises when even their leader fails to keep them. I would also point out that only one SNP politician has bothered to sign a motion before the Scottish Parliament in support of Moray’s bases.

And let me finish by stating this unequivocally. I will fight to retain both bases against Labour’s cuts. I will continue to advise Michael Howard and Nicholas Soames on the importance of both RAF bases to Moray and ensure that Conservative defence policy is militarily and economically based, not politically. Our policy will be a policy for government, unlike the SNP’s which is nothing more than a list of undeliverable promises.

Yours Sincerely,

Jamie Halcro Johnston
Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray

Moray Conservatives
Brumley Brae
Elgin
Moray
IV30 5PP

Halcro Johnston welcomes Tory pledge to re-instate Scottish regiments

2004-10-01T13:06:00.000Z

Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston has welcomed a pledge from the Conservatives over the future of the Scottish regiments.

Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan MP had earlier announced that a Conservative government would reverse any Scottish regiment cuts made by the Labour government and would reinstate the 6 distinct Scottish Regiments.

Mr Halcro Johnston last week met with Save the Regiments campaigners at the Scottish Parliament and said today’s news should be a real boost to all those campaigning to retain all of Scotland's regiments.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston "While we all still hope that Labour’s Defence Secretary will abandon his flawed plans to abolish one of the regiments, the Conservatives have shown our commitment to this country's defence capabilities by pledging to bring back any regiment that this government gets rid of. This news must be a real boost to all those campaigning so hard to retain Scotland's six historic regiments.

"While Labour seeks to make cuts, we want to preserve the six Scottish regiments because of their history, tradition and local ties. We want to retain them because they are world class and are the most effective way of recruiting new people into our army.

"This commitment, and Shadow Defence Secretary Nicholas Soames’ earlier that the Conservatives would spend an extra £2.7 billion on defence, clearly demonstrates that".

Halcro Johnston meets with Scottish regiments campaigners

2004-09-27T13:08:00.001Z

Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Moray Jamie Halcro Johnston has met with campaigners fighting to save the Scottish regiments.

Mr Halcro Johnston spoke with Sid Mather of the Black Watch Association before a debate in the Scottish Parliament last Thursday secured by the Scottish Conservatives on the future of the regiments.

Said Mr Halcro Johnston "This is a subject that has been raised time and time again with me across Moray, and it was encouraging to see so many make the journey to Edinburgh from all parts of Scotland to attend the debate. It demonstrates the passion that has been aroused by Labour’s plans.

"With our security at home facing the ever increasing threat of attack from terrorists and our military obligations worldwide growing, these cuts are nothing sort of dangerous. Our armed forces are already complaining of being overstretched and Gordon Brown’s savings-obsessed decision will just make that worse.

"The support shown for Thursday’s debate should send a clear message to the Labour Government at Westminster that Scotland is, and will continue to, fight to retain all her historic regiments.

"I look forward to joining Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Peter Duncan MP at the Dundee rally on Saturday 23rd October, and hope for a good turnout there".

Halcro Johnston meets with Scottish regiments campaigners

2004-09-27T13:08:00.000Z

Local Tories enjoy first Elgin Market visit

2004-09-24T17:34:00.000Z

Moray Conservatives have enjoyed welcoming people from across Moray to their first stall at the Saturday Market at Elgin Auction Mart.

Westminster Candidate Jamie Halcro Johnston was joined by Forres councillor Iain Young and other local members at the event where they gave out balloons for the children and held a "Pull a nail from the Bale" competition. There was also a Draw for a prize of £50.

Said Jamie Halcro Johnston "It was very enjoyable and successful event and we were very busy all day. There were people from Elgin, Forres, Buckie and across Moray.

"We’re very grateful to all those that donated some superb prizes, those that took part in the competition and all those who just came up to say hello. This was the first time that Moray Tories had a stall at the Saturday Market but it certainly won’t be the last. We want to make this a regular event.

"It was extremely encouraging to see the support we got from people who just came up to the stall to say that it was nice to see us at the market".

The main Prize Draw was won by Mr G.Paterson of Elgin, to whom a cheque for £50 is being sent.

Moray Tories select Jamie Halcro Johnston as Candidate

2004-04-05T13:10:00.000Z

At a packed meeting in Elgin Town Hall, on Saturday (3 April) Moray Conservatives selected Jamie Halcro Johnston as their candidate for the next Westminster Parliamentary Election.

Immediately after the meeting Jamie said “I am honoured and delighted to have been selected by Moray Conservatives to represent them in the forthcoming General Election. I had set my heart on being selected for the Moray Constituency having been closely involved for a number of years in the main issues that relate to the North of Scotland.

“Having now been selected I pledge to work tirelessly to bring this winnable seat back to the Conservative Party. I look forward to going out to meet the people of Moray, learning about their concerns and raising the issues of importance to them.”

David Boyd, Chairman said” I am delighted that Jamie has been selected. At 28 years old, Jamie has a huge amount of political experience in dealing with the issues that relate to this constituency. It is of great credit to him that he beat a very strong field to secure selection, and the number of members present in the Town Hall is indicative of the upsurge of Conservative support in Moray.”