The Queen set right tone for every occasion
Like many Free Press readers I was saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and was interested to see the archive pictures published of her visits to Wigtownshire.
The sight of the Royal Yacht Britannia moored off Cairnryan and the young monarch’s official tours in 1955 and 1996 are still warmly recollected in communities such as Stranraer, Whithorn, Newton Stewart and Garlieston.
In my experience, Her Majesty always had an ability to set just the right tone to reflect the occasion or event she was attending and to bring smiles to so many faces during her walkabouts.
It was inspiring, but came as no surprise, whilst carrying out my Scotland Office duties during the last few weeks to witness the warmth across the country in which Her Majesty was held.
I felt it both an honour and a privilege, as an elected representative from south-west Scotland, to officiate as Scottish Secretary in attending The Queen’s funeral and to take part in a number of other historic state events and ceremonies.
On a personal basis, as a member of the Royal Company of Archers, the Queen’s ceremonial body guard in Scotland, I was moved to be part of the vigil protecting Her Majesty’s coffin during her lying-in-state in Westminster Hall.
Looking ahead, I believe King Charles has already shown he has the experience, knowledge and ability to take our constitutional monarchy forward and I wish him well in his role as head of state.
Extra £630 million UK funding heading to SNP Ministers
In what has been an extremely eventful month nationally since my last column, I was pleased to have the opportunity to continue my ongoing work at the Scotland Office.
It was an honour to be invited by the new Prime Minister to remain as Secretary of State and I will do my utmost, along with Cabinet colleagues, to help tackle the unprecedented challenges such as the pandemic aftermath and the war in Ukraine.
Recent rises in the cost-of-living and resulting inflationary pressures are clearly having as negative an impact in Dumfries and Galloway as they are across the UK and many other countries.
In his package of measures the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, has put growing the economy as the top priority whilst also providing significant support to households and businesses to ease increased energy costs.
Altogether the latest announcements amount to a £630 million increase to Scotland’s budget but it will be up to the devolved SNP-Green Government to use that money wisely and match the tax cuts and some of the other measures being introduced elsewhere in the UK.
Not to do so, as may be the case, could put many tax-payers north of the border, and particularly the wider economy here in the south of Scotland, at a distinct disadvantage compared to that of our colleagues, friends and relations a short distance to the south.
Scotland is already the highest taxed part of the UK and I would urge SNP Ministers, as winter approaches, not to widen that gap further.
Investment Zones offer new chance to drive growth
I was pleased that the UK Government has agreed to push ahead swiftly with plans to create investment zones as a targeted means of driving economic growth and where there is a need pushing forward the construction of new environment-friendly homes.
Whilst Dumfries and Galloway Council decided not to proceed with a Wigtownshire bid to become a Green Freeport, I believe the investment zones put forward as part of the new UK Growth Plan could accelerate regeneration progress in the west of my constituency.
Businesses in areas hosting investment zones could benefit from time-limited tax benefits, the creation of designated development sites with accelerated and streamlined planning consent processes and the possibility of additional growth funding.
As readers will know from previous columns, I see great merit for such schemes in areas like Wigtownshire where under the Investment Zones strategy a bid would depend on a good working partnership including the UK Government, Scottish Government and local agencies.
I firmly believe this is an opportunity, which combined with the existing Borderlands Growth Deal programme, could deliver for our area and I urge colleagues of all parties to come on board.
Clarification needed on future Newton Stewart hospital
A recurring issue cropping up in my casework correspondence from constituents in the west of the region are concerns about the greatly reduced services available from Newton Stewart Community Hospital.
The role of the long-established health facility has been limited since the start of the Covid pandemic when most staff were redeployed elsewhere and responsibilities such as covid vaccinations have since been carried out there.
Because Newton Stewart is relatively remote from larger hospitals and serves a sprawling rural area there is a strong demand locally for it to resume being a fully-fledged cottage hospital.
I’m again writing to NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s chief executive Jeff Ace seeking clarification on the plans for the site and emphasising the wish of local people to be fully consulted and for the hospital to be reopened at the earliest opportunity.
I will update readers of any reply in a future column.
Demand remains for face-to-face banking services
A down side to the increase in online banking has been the loss of bank branches, particularly in smaller communities across our largely rural region.
Whilst the number of bank offices in Stranraer has declined to two, plus the Post Office, it is important account-holders continue to use the local counter facilities when they require them. This can help maintain their longer term viability.
One of the towns in the constituency where I’ve raised public concerns is Kirkcudbright, which, apart from the Post Office, has largely been left without face-to-face banking services.
I’m delighted that the town has been recommended as a location for a shared pioneering ‘banking hub,’ which will offer easy to access services from a purpose-designed office.
A five-day-a-week counter service will be available together with a private meeting room where customers can arrange appointments with staff from the partner banks.
I plan to monitor progress with the project and welcome efforts to identify suitable premises in the town, available for lease, and a willingness to involve community representatives.
Book Town festival completes another successful chapter
I’ve been impressed by the varied programme of talks and featured books at this year’s 10-day Wigtown Book Festival which will be reaching its climax this weekend.
From Ukraine to the Middle East, politics to poetry and farming to whisky-tasting, the range of books featured, and many distinguished authors giving talks, have again proved a great attraction.
Wigtown well deserves being Scotland’s National Book Town and it is good to see the annual event getting back to business as usual following the pandemic and I’d again like to take this opportunity to praise the organising team on all their hard work.
The Festival not only attracts book enthusiasts but also visitors in general who sometimes return again and again to enjoy our largely unspoiled and scenic part of the world.