Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch welcomed the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s recent visit to Skye. The First Minister gave a lecture at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic language college in Sleat and encouraged folk on Skye to contribute to the Scottish Government’s proposed future Islands Bill, as Mr Thompson seeks a new Local Authority and Constituency for the “mountainous, coastal and island area” of Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber.

Mr Thompson said, “Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber has remote mainland communities and is a mountainous, coastal and island area. It suffers from all the problems of connectivity that the three main island groups do. However, the debate is often dominated by Orkney, Shetland and Na h-Eileanan an lar, which are little different to Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber in terms of the challenges they face, which is why I am campaigning to get similar recognition for Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber.

“As such, I will be surveying constituents and writing to community councils to canvas their opinion on whether there should be a new Local Authority and Constituency for Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber”.

Dave went on, “The Bill proposes that island communities acquire additional powers, and stronger representation in the Scottish Parliament, and the creation of a National Islands Plan.

“As I have already mentioned in a recent debate in Parliament, this is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to help shape a fairer and more prosperous future for our Islands and help to drive important islands-specific legislation. Therefore, like the First Minister, I encourage everyone living in our island communities to contribute their thoughts to what a future Islands Bill should look like”.