Lib Dems vow to focus on region’ s local issues

The Moray Liberal Democrats say they plan to focus on local issues rather than fight with opposition parties over the constitution.

The party has issued this promise, should voters decide to vote for the Lib Dems on May 5.

They have claimed that Moray people have been getting a “bad deal” from both the SNP and Conservatives on the local authority due to in-fighting.

Last month, Audit Scotland warned that the battles between councillors has been slowing down the local authority’s pandemic recovery.

The Liberal Democrats have said that their manifesto’s focus is on addressing community and local concerns.

“Liberal Democrats will always put local issues first and be champions of democracy in our communities.

“We will fight for community, equality and change now, not just before another election.

“Our councillors will hold regular residents’ surveys to find out the problems facing residents every day, not just before an election”, they add.

Moray Liberal Democrats have already made their first gain of the 2022 council elections.

Christopher Price will be declared as a councillor for Buckie on May 6 after only three candidates came forward for the three member ward.

The ward is the only one that has been uncontested in Moray.

Mr Price, who currently works for the Ministry of Defence at RAF Lossiemouth, spoke of his delight and added that he will put his local community first.

He said: “My priorities will be to ensure local voices are heard and by working with the local community we’ll make Buckie a prosperous area for current and future generations.

“I’ll promise to serve the people of Buckie Ward with loyalty and dedication.

“If you need me to raise an issue or if you need someone to confide in I will always make myself available.”

Meanwhile Elgin North candidate Neil Alexander added: “Dr Gray’s Hospital and the maternity services are an issue. People should not be travelling along the A96 to bring a child into the world, it’s not on.

“I think Moray is getting a bad deal from both sides. They (the SNP and the Conservatives) are so obsessed with fighting each other they don’t put their constituents first.

“I like to think I’m a new voice that cares about the community and who lives in the area.”

The Liberal Democrats say they will push Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to accelerate the reopening of Dr Gray’s clinical services, including the maternity unit.

The party believes NHS Grampian’s warning that it could take up to 10 years for a consultant-led maternity unit to return is not good enough.

The Lib Dems also want a review of mental health services available to people in Moray, as well as finding venues for groups like Elgin Men’s Shed to hold regular meetings.

And the party says it will ramp up urgent pressure needed to ensure the completion of the A96 dualling project, adding: “Connecting our community to the rest of Scotland would improve a lot for Moray.”

A total of 42 candidates have put their names forward for election on May 5.

Twenty six seats are up for grabs across eight multi-member wards.

There are six Independents, nine SNP, six Liberal Democrats, 11 Conservative, five Labour, three Green and two candidates listed as other.