Dave Thompson MSP

 I congratulate Ross, Skye and Lochaber’s newest MP, Ian Blackford, on his Westminster Election success.

The seat was won with 20,119 votes, over 5,000 clear of 32 year incumbent Charles Kennedy, who managed a credible 14,995 returns, which goes to show that despite the Lib Dem collapse at UK Level, Charles remains a popular figure amongst large swathes of the constituents. I extend my gratitude to him for his time served and wish him well. 

Ian becomes one of 56 newly elected SNP MPs on what was the SNP’s best UK Election result in its history and I am confident that he, along with the other MPs will make Scotland’s voice heard in Westminster like never before.

The folk of the Highlands have unequivocally placed their trust in the SNP and as someone who has been involved in the party for nearly 50 years; this fills me with enormous pride. 

However, I also recognise that with such an overwhelming endorsement from the people, we are now in a position of great responsibility, which we must take seriously. 

I am convinced the SNP will show that they will stand up for all of the Highlands, regardless of political persuasion and I look forward to working with Ian on areas where we share mutual interest and for the betterment of the Highlands.

I was delighted to host the Scottish Young Consumer of the Year final in the Scottish Parliament, with special praise going out to Fortrose Academy who flew the flag admirably for the Highlands.  

The competition was organised by the Trading Standards Institute and its Consumer Education Liaison Group; allowing teams of four 14-17 year olds to compete in a knockout consumer quiz.

The quiz generated a lot of enthusiasm and in particular, I congratulate Fortrose Academy for their sterling efforts.

The team can hold their heads high having made the Scottish final, managing to finish a very credible third in the competition; an invaluable experience which I am sure will stand them in good stead for victory next year.

Being immersed in a competition such as this teaches school children many wonderful life lessons, such as team working, and critical thinking. It also sets pupils up for the times in life when they do well but it also teaches them how to cope with disappointment too, and the ability to be gracious in victory and in defeat.

This is not the first time I have hosted this wonderful event and if I am asked, I will gladly do so again.

I recently took part in a debate in the Parliament on the A9 speed camera scheme and I am thankful that the recent evidence is pointing towards the scheme being successful as we start the huge task of dualling the road from Perth to Inverness.

It is gratifying to have been part of the campaign to bring average speed cameras to the A9 in order to reduce accidents and save lives. 

I long remember, as far back as the 1960s, when I first passed my driving test, avoiding many head on collisions as folk travelled at ridiculous speeds, endangering the lives of themselves and those who were obeying the speed limit too.

Now we have sufficient evidence to show us that the scheme has been successful and I hope that the level of accidents will remain lower than was the case before the speed cameras were introduced.

It is fantastic news for the Highlands that the £150 million fleet of Caledonian sleeper trains, will be arriving in 2018, which will provide a huge boost to the Highland tourist experience.

The plans will bring luxury to our rail line like we have never seen before and with fantastic catering on offer, it will showcase the best of food and drink that Scotland has to offer.

I used a Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) meeting to propose to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, that dairy breaks for primary school kids should be introduced in Scotland and I have since written to the big supermarket retailers to ask for a financial contribution towards.

Not only, would a dairy break in the morning offer milk, we could offer flavoured milk and yoghurts too. This would ensure children are better nourished, with an improved ability to learn. An initiative such as this would boost the sales of milk, which would in turn benefit the dairy industry.

It is encouraging that the Minister for Health and Wellbeing supports the provision of milk in schools as part of children’s diets, but on whether this is done rest with Local Authorities.

Some Local Authorities do choose to already offer a milk scheme in their schools and others do not.  If they do choose to offer a school milk scheme, they can make a claim towards the running from a special fund.  

Apparently 21 of our 32 Local Authorities claimed in the year 2013/14. Highland Council, unfortunately, was not among them, so I have contacted them to encourage them take up the subsidy that is available and introduce “dairy breaks” in Highland schools.

I welcome the Scottish Government’s Diary Action Plan, which I will have debated in Parliament by the time you read this.

The action plan aims to improve the resilience of the Scottish dairy sector and provide the right platform to ensure the entire sector can thrive in the context of volatile market prices.  

The plan could not come at a better time, as we celebrate Scotland’s year of food and drink and I wish it every success.