Activists reject land reform plans

A REBELLION at the conference has forced ministers to look at strengthening controversial plans f or l and reform in Scotland.

The humiliating decision by members raises the prospect of an even tougher crackdown, such as giving tenant farmers an absolute right to buy their land.

The current proposals will give communities a legal right to buy land and there are measures to end tax exemptions for sporting estates.

Nicola Sturgeon has previously promised ‘radical’ proposals but delegates in Aberdeen said the Bill did not go far enough. Critics claim it does not bar anonymous buyers purchasing Scottish estates via offshore tax havens.

An absolute right to buy for tenant farmers was originally rejected after warnings it would be a ‘killer blow’ for the sector because landowners would stop renting out their farms.

Land Reform Minister Aileen McLeod pleaded with delegates

to back the Bill but lost by 70 votes to 440 to ‘remit’ the proposals.

She said ministers would now consider amendments.

Former Education Secretary Mike Russell said what was being proposed was a ‘good Bill but could be a better Bill’.

Land reformer Andy Wightman, who is standing for the Greens in next year’s election, said the SNP needed to ‘rise to the challenge’.

David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, the organisation representing landowners, said: ‘There are measures within the proposed land reform legislation that could have a significantly detrimental effect on rural jobs, local economies and our members’ businesses.

‘We are currently looking at unprecedented legislation that will impact on many thousands of people and will provide the right for government ministers to intervene and enforce the sale of property under certain circumstances against the wishes of the owner.’

But SNP member Nicky Louden-MacCrimmon told the conference that current plans do not currently go far enough. ‘To persuade people to vote Yes tomorrow, we need to use the powers we have today to create a vision of a better, bolder, more radical nation,’ he said.