Angus MEP says Scotland needs to 'get off the British sinking ship'
A Forfar-based MEP has waded into the independence row by stating it's ''time to get off the British sinking ship''.
Cod and haddock being lowered into the hold on a trawler between Norway and the Shetland Islands in the North Sea.
- By Graeme Strachan
- Published in the Courier : 02.02.12
- Published online : 02.02.12 @ 07.58am
Ian Hudghton said Scotland's fishing fleet would continue to get a raw deal in Brussels because of the UK Government's ''general low prioritisation of fisheries''.
Mr Hudghton said people are ''tired of Westminster misrepresentation of Scotland's interests'', highlighting the Common Fisheries Policy negotiations.
He said: ''The decisions taken each year have a direct impact on the livelihoods of tens of thousands of workers around Europe — and all too often for Scotland that impact is wholly negative.
''Scotland accounts for three-quarters of the UK's fish landings and fisheries is therefore quite simply a low priority for the junior agriculture minister from England who leads for the UK at the talks.''
He added: ''When the UK was negotiating entry to the common market 40 years ago Ted Heath's government famously stated that the fishing industry was 'expendable' — and nothing has happened since to suggest that that attitude has changed.''
Mr Hudghton said a ''whole new and sinister element'' has been thrown into the equation because of the UK Government's ''new ultra-low standing within the EU''.
He said: ''Alex Salmond wrote to the Prime Minister asking what risk assessment he had made ahead of exercising the veto and why he had not consulted the devolved administrations.
''I suspect the answer is fairly self-evident and no risk assessment was made — no regard was had for Scotland's coastal communities.''
He added: ''He refused to enter into any discussion about any changes to existing EU treaties. To decline to take part in discussion is totally counter-productive.''
Mr Hudghton said: ''Surely it would be far better to be in the room, speaking up for key national interests and building alliances in favour of sensible and acceptable measures to aid economic recovery across the EU?
''Ted Heath said that fishing was expendable — David Cameron seems to regard our whole relationship with our European neighbours as similarly expendable. It's time Scotland got off this sinking British ship — and joined the flotilla in the European mainstream.''
Mr Hudghton said a recent Ipsos MORI poll indicated high support for independence, showing that ''our people are becoming increasingly tired of Westminster misrepresentation of Scotland's interests.''
He said the SNP Government is championing Scottish interests at home and abroad, in ''stark contrast'' to Westminster.
► The chief executive of the Scottish Fisheries Federation suggested going it alone might not be in Scotland's best interests.
Bertie Armstrong told The Courier Scotland could end up with the same voting power as Estonia at Europe's top table if it breaks away from the union. He said Scotland would have a much stronger voice if it stays part of the UK.
Stressing that his federation was apolitical, Mr Armstrong said: ''Within the EU the UK has somewhere approaching 30 votes. You have a voting strength in accordance with your national population. This is an observation of fact — not a political argument.''
He added: ''The UK has approaching 30 but a separate Scotland would have a similar amount of votes to Estonia. When you get down to the brass tacks of it — how would this actually work?''
Mr Armstrong said: ''You'll also hear the argument that Scotland should have the front seat in the EU ministerial meetings about fishing because Scotland has the bulk of the fishing industry.
''Our comment is again an observation but we are very much less concerned about who sits in the seats. We are absolutely concerned in every detail about what is said and what is on the speaking note for the minister or his representative to speak on matters of fisheries.''
Photo by Maurice McDonald/PA Archive
02.20pm - 02.02.2012 Jock - Forfar, Scotland Report This
Interesting that the SNP seem to think that they can stay in the EU, but be able to renogiate all these treaties to Scotlands advantage. The only way to do what Mr Hudgton wants is to withdraw from the EU - but then that would mean an end to his cushy job in Strasbourg!
06.10pm - 02.02.2012 John Jones - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Hudghton lives in a tartan-decorated bubble in which the UK is to blame for all ills. Out in the real world, if it stays in the EU (as Hudghton himself favours) this country's fisheries will continue to be plundered because that's what the far more powerful French and Spanish will insist upon.
07.51pm - 02.02.2012 BW - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Two points. One, Richard Lochhead (SNP) represents Us in EU negotiations. Two, if Britain is, er, finished, then why would Mr Hudgton's boss Alex Salmond, be so keen to have the Bank of England as a separate Scotland's lender of last resort? Anyone know?
08.12am - 03.02.2012 Christian Allard - Aberdeen, Aberdeen city Report This
Bertie Armstrong is certainly not speaking for me. If the SFF is apolitical, Bertie should not stand against this nation becoming independent again.
10.40am - 03.02.2012 mac - dundee, scotland Report This
naughty, bw, naughty but true. why didnt anyone ask him to explain this anomaly.
12.40pm - 03.02.2012 Mathew, student - Bonnie Dundee, Bonnie Scotland Report This
Chris - small point, but one worth remembering: Scotland isn't a nation. Neither is England just in case someone plans on waving an anti-Scottish card at me.
02.27pm - 03.02.2012 tom - luxembourg, luxembourg Report This
Bank of England is a UK institution and nationalised by Uk government after World War II and as such Scotland already has its percentage share in it.
03.20pm - 03.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
When Scotland and W'minster's interests coincide, Scotland has a voice and 29 votes. When they don't, it has zilch. With independence, joint interests would have 2 voices and 34 votes. Divergent ones would at least leave Scotland 7 votes AND A VOICE. "Stronger apart - weaker together" :)
09.35pm - 03.02.2012 Tom D - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Tom in Luxembourg, you will not know that the SNP have made their living from criticiquing Britain's institutions, only to beg and plead for the Bank of England to be a separate Scotland's "lender of last resort." We would have less control than what we have now!! It's easy to work out.
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