Dave Thompson MSP

The Editor, WHFP

Dear Sir

I refer to your recent editorial in which you say “Highland roads are going downhill.

While I accept much needs to be done I must also say that much is already being achieved in difficult financial circumstances.

The Scottish Parliament’s Capital budget has been heavily cut by 25% and we face even more severe cuts from Westminster following the General Election from Labour, LibDems or Tories..

This is the face of austerity in Scotland today and when my constituents bump into a pothole in the road, they are coming face-to-face with this stark reality.

This is the era of unprecedented cut backs and we are braced for another 30billion more whichever of the main UK parties win the Westminster election.

Without the anti-austerity agenda of the SNP to keep the London parties in check I am afraid the potholes are going to get worse.

Austerity is more than disability allowance reductions, care home closures and attacks on our poorest and most vulnerable. Austerity affects us all!

Despite this austerity, however, the Scottish Government, through good management, has just provided an additional £107m to Local Government in Scotland, which is going to help protect our Highland infrastructure.

I will, of course, continue to press for improvements to our roads but the cuts we face from Westminster will make that job harder.

This is why it is more important than ever that we vote SNP on May 7 to ensure we resist austerity.

Yours sincerely

Dave Thompson MSP

Constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch

Thorfin House

Bridgend Business Park

Dingwall