Ongoing uncertainty over the future of Britain’s RAF bases is “unfair, unnecessary and unacceptable,” the shadow Scottish secretary has claimed.
Ann McKechin said the UK Government had left campaigners fighting for the future of facilities including RAF Leuchars in “cold limbo.”
It was hoped that a decision on which bases face the axe would be taken within weeks but the MoD has said no announcement will be made until after May’s Scottish elections.
Ms McKechin insists an “urgent decision” is required.
She spoke out following a trip to Moray, where she met campaigners battling for the future of RAF Lossiemouth.
The closure of RAF Kinloss has already been confirmed under the government’s strategic defence and security review with the cancellation of the Nimrod contract. On Thursday the date of the closure was announced.
An MoD spokesman said, “RAF Kinloss is no longer required as a main operating base and will close as an RAF unit.
“The airfield at Kinloss will cease to function on July 31, 2011, with the actual drawdown of staff working at RAF Kinloss taking place over the next few years, completing in 2014.”‘Strong case’The review, published in October, also announced an intention to close other UK bases but no decision on which ones has yet been taken.
Ms McKechin, Labour MP for Glasgow North, believes those fighting to save Lossiemouth and Leuchars have a compelling case.
She said, “The campaigners have a strong case and the government should sit up and listen.
“These communities deserve better than to be left in cold limbo.
A recent Fife Council dossier warned that the loss of RAF Leuchars would lead to school closures, a cull of small businesses, a slump in house prices and an exodus of young people.
Council chiefs also warned that Fife’s fragile economy would take a £60 million hit.
Meanwhile, almost 2000 jobs could be lost.
The MoD has always denied a “delay” in the decision-making process.
A spokesman said, “The study is running to schedule but the MoD has been told it cannot announce the outcome just before the Scottish election, as this would be in breach of government rules for potentially influencing voters.”To show your support for RAF Leuchars, leave a comment below or click here.