Pete Wishart
SNP MP FOR PERTH & PERTHSHIRE NORTH Walking away makes no sense
The Scottish Affairs Select Committee, which I chair, has been meeting in Edinburgh this week as part of a determined effort on my part to bring some of its meetings out of Westminster.
Among those up in front of us for questioning was the Energy Minister, Angela Leadstrom MP, about renewable energy and the impact on the renewable energy sector in Scotland of recent decisions by the Westminster Government.
The solar power industry says it has seen the loss of more than half its 35,000 jobs due to recent changes in government energy policy,
The Solar Trade Association (STA), which represents the industry, said it was collecting exact statistics to be published soon but experts believe up to 18,000 jobs have gone in less than 12 months.
It really is shortsightedness beyond belief.
Despite that background, it is fantastic to be able to welcome news from the Scottish Government that Scotland has exceeded a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% – six years early.
New statistics show its 2014 emission levels were 45.8% lower than in 1990.
The Scottish government had set a target to reduce emissions by at least 42% by 2020, and 80% by 2050.
The difference in approach to climate change by the two governments really is quite stark and the success is being achieved through the encouragement being given to individuals and communities to take small actions that add up to significant successes.
The campaigns around the European referendum are really starting to heat up and the amount of nonsense being spouted by‘Brexiters’ is hitting new levels.
One of the most recent is the claim by Michael Gove that the UK leaving the EU would lead to Scotland having more control over immigration.
Now, I would love for Scotland to have more control of our immigration laws – for a start, we could put a stop to the ridiculous rules that led to Perthshire vet Carmen Bell having to return to Canada instead of settling here with her boyfriend and contributing to a community that would welcome her skills. But I don’t believe for a minute that Mr Gove wants us to have that.
Perhaps Michael Gove might like to confirm for us that he was completely opposed to giving powers over immigration to the Scottish Parliament during the passage of the Scotland Bill last year. Perhaps, then, he could explain why he has now so radically changed his mind.
I don’t trust the Tories on immigration, just as I don’t trust them on tackling climate change, on employment rights or a whole range of other issues where leaving the EU would leave us massively exposed to the unfettered power of Westminster.
Europe is not perfect – far from it. It still needs major reform and the Scottish Government has made that crystal clear. However, walking away from the table now just doesn’t make sense when we’ve achieved so much.