Perth is losing out to other parts of Scotland under the SNP, leading Perthshire Conservatives are claiming.
The Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Perth and North Perthshire, Cllr Alexander Stewart, is today joined by MSPs Murdo Fraser and Elizabeth Smith in pointing to a list of SNP failures which they claim means that Perth is falling behind comparable cities. These include:
- No additional Scottish Government funding for Perth, while Dundee has attracted some £32 million for capital projects.
- No public sector jobs having been attracted to Perth. It has just been announced that the permanent headquarters for the new Scottish Fire Service will be in Stirling, despite the temporary home being in Perth.
- A lack of vision for Perth as a business, commercial and retail centre, evidenced by the withdrawal of major retailers such as Sainsbury’s and Austin Reed.
- The lack of progress in improving connectivity to Perth, either by road or rail links.
- The continued failure of the SNP-run council to improve car parking in the city, continually rejecting Conservative calls for implementation “pay on exit” car parks, and free parking on Saturdays.
- The introduction of a single police force for Scotland, meaning a loss of local accountability and a “one size fits all” policing approach across the whole country.
- The Business Ambassador’s Programme which was set up last year by the Economic Development team at Perth and Kinross Council has achieved very little to date.
Cllr Alexander Stewart said:
“Perth has an SNP-led council, and SNP parliamentary representation at both Westminster and Holyrood, and yet we are continuing to fall behind other Scottish cities.
“We see neighbouring cities like Dundee and Stirling getting preferential treatment from the SNP Government in Edinburgh, but Perth is simply being forgotten about.
“The Business Ambassador’s Programme is an example of an idea with real promise but one that has thus far completely failed to deliver.
“It is time for a change, and time for a voice for Perth in Parliament who is not afraid to take on the SNP establishment in Edinburgh, rather than meekly toe the Party line.”
Cllr Stewart’s comments were backed up by the two MSPs.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
”There was a long campaign over many years to gain city status for Perth, which should have been a catalyst for driving improvements to the local economy.
“Sadly, this opportunity has been squandered.
“Improvements in connectivity, car parking, and the commercial environment, could all have been delivered locally, and yet we have not seen the leadership from SNP politicians that Perth requires.”
Liz Smith MSP added:
“The SNP’s approach is best typified by their policy of creating a single police force for Scotland, which has meant that decisions are taken further and further away from the people.
“What Perth now requires is a strong local champion to stand up for its people.
“If local residents want a local leader, with a track record of supporting them on the issues that matter to them, then they need to elect Alexander Stewart on the 7th.”