Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Neil labels Simpson stance ‘inconsistent’
Airdrie MSP Alex Neil has branded fellow parliamentarian Graham Simpson“twofaced”, following a community meeting to discuss the proposed Europark development.
Mr Simpson, a Central Scotland Conservative MSP, chaired last Tuesday’s event in Calderbank – which saw residents voice opposition to developer Orchard Brae’s plans to build 2600 new homes, schools provision, health centres, business and leisure facilities on land between their village and Carnbroe.
At the meeting Mr Simpson insisted the objections were not about “nimbyism” but the “protection of greenbelt land”.
He highlighted Mr Neil’s absence, telling the meeting “We know his stance on the matter”.
Mr Neil previously told the Advertiser the Europark proposals deserved “serious consideration”, and this week he reacted furiously to Mr Simpson’s assertion and accused his fellow MSP of “jumping on a bandwagon”, and of only notifying him of the meeting two days before it was due to take place.
The SNP veteran highlighted a parliamentary housing debate last year during which Mr Simpson spoke enthusiastically of a need for “a new wave of settlements, designed for active travel, designed to use less energy and designed for the people, with the people”.
Mr Neil also branded Mr Simpson – who voted against the banning of fracking in 2016 – a “fly-by-night”.
He went on: “Graham Simpson is absolutely twofaced.
“On one hand he claims to be a great environmentalist while on the other he supports the biggest threat to the UK environment in fracking.
“He’s trying to play party politics with a very serious proposal for development in my constituency.
“He’s jumping on a bandwagon even though fundamentally he doesn’t have a good track record when it comes to defending the environment.
“Unlike him, I’m committed to the development of Airdrie whereas he will use any issue to try and whip up support for the Tory party.”
Mr Neil continued: “When Simpson is in Airdrie he’s an environmentalist, when he’s in Edinburgh he’s pro-fracking and when he’s in his home town, East Kilbride, he’s prodevelopment.
“He’s illogical, inconsistent and untrustworthy. People in Airdrie will soon take him at face value and see right through him.
“I respect people on both sides of the Europark debate who put their arguments across humanely. I don’t respect a hypocrite like Simpson who is using it to play party politics.”
At the meeting, which was also attended by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, Mr Simpson told those in attendance: “This area is greenbelt for a reason. It’s beaufitul, it matters to health and it’ll stop communities joining up.
“It’s quite clear that North Lanarkshire Council should reject this plan.
“There’s nothing wrong with building homes. They just need to be in the right place.
“It’s alarming the number of people who aren’t aware of what’s on their doorstep.
“Ap a t h y f ro m the community could lead to this going ahead. We need numbers. We can win this but we need people to help.”
Mr Leonard arrived for the final 10 minutes of the meeting and said: “There is a concrete plan before the council.
“We’re up against some powerful people but we have community spirit.
“The power needs to lie with the people and we want to establish it’s the voice of the community that counts.
“Your voices need to be heard loud and clear. No one will win this fight for you.”
A meeting in favour of the proposals was held in Airdrie’s Penny Cars Stadium on Monday night.