Voice of Orkney Delivered free to thousands of homes across Orkney.
IN THIS ISSUE
Tackling mental illness
Improving digital services
Exclusive From growing up on Sanday to representing you in the Scottish Parliament, read about
Liam’s story Championing lifeline links
Picture Special Out and about in Orkney with Liam McArthur
community
Welcome By Jim Wallace It was a great privilege to represent Orkney as an MP and then as MSP. This is a very special community and one I am proud to call home. Our islands have a strong liberal tradition. This no doubt reflects the fact that we firmly believe in giving individuals and communities the tools they need to shape their own lives. Whether this is in ensuring that everyone has access to good quality education or resisting efforts to move power and decision-making to the centre, liberalism fits very well the perspective of island communities like ours.
With a nationalist government in Edinburgh intent on centralising more and more, and with a Conservative government in London putting at risk our place in Europe, the need for strong, liberal voices in our politics has never been greater.
community and a depth of political experience, Liam has ensured that Orkney’s voice is heard on the national stage. We also know that locally it is a choice in May between Liam or the SNP, who have failed to prioritise Orkney after 8 years of Government.
As we look forward to the Scottish Parliament elections in May, we have I hope you enjoy reading this an opportunity to ensure Orkney has magazine, finding out more about a strong liberal voice. Liam, his roots in our community and his plans for Orkney in the years I have known Liam McArthur for many years. It was no surprise to me ahead. that he has proved himself to be a You can find out more about Liam’s dedicated and hard-working MSP. work and campaigns online With an understanding of our at: www.liammcarthur.org.uk.
More Support for Education Liberal Democrats are proposing the biggest investment in education since Devolution "Having been brought up in Sanday, Liam has a genuine feel for the isles. At a time of major change for farming, it has been great to have Liam fighting Orkney’s corner every step of the way" – Raymond Brown, farmer, Sanday “When Ortak went into administration, it was a time of great uncertainty for everyone involved. Working with others, Liam was on hand to offer any support he could and certainly helped us achieve a successful outcome”. - Michael Gardens, Managing Director of Ortak Jewellery "Liam works hard for communities in the outer isles. His efforts to improve air ambulance services are just one example of this". - Adrian Miller, former Chair of Stronsay Community Council
Much about our education system is excellent, but there are areas where we need to do better. Liam McArthur says, “Education is the key to unlocking the potential of every individual. Too often, however, those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with additional needs lose out. That cannot be acceptable. Indeed, under the SNP’s Attainment Fund, which excludes Orkney, children miss out on vital funding because they don’t live in the right postcode area. “Liberal Democrats propose raising an additional £475m to invest in education each year over the next parliament.
This is the biggest investment in education since Devolution. “It will allow us to provide the free early learning and childcare promised, but not delivered; it will enable us to introduce a pupil premium, providing support for every child who needs it, wherever they live in Scotland; it will ensure we avoid the savage cuts to Council budgets proposed by the SNP; and it will allow us to repair some of the damage done to Further Education by an SNP Government that has cut 150,000 places from our college sector. “This is a positive vision, one that will help transform education in Scotland”.
Championing lifeline links
Transport links are a lifeline for Orkney. With the exclusion of Orkney from the Scottish Government’s cheap ferry fares scheme and continued reliability concerns in Loganair flights, Voice of Orkney takes a look... The SNP Government’s decision to exclude Orkney and Shetland from its cheap ferry fares scheme shows that helping local people across the Northern Isles is not at the top of the SNP’s priorities. Reducing the cost of getting to and from our islands can deliver enormous economic and social benefits. Instead, SNP Ministers have put Orkney’s economy and community at a disadvantage compared to counterparts on the West Coast. Liam McArthur said, “Ministers should not be picking and choosing which islands to support and which to ignore. That is not fair, justified or acceptable. We need a clear and urgent timetable for providing similar funding to reduce ferry fares in Orkney and Shetland”.
Meanwhile, Liam has also led the campaign to improve the reliability of Orkney’s lifeline air services. Commenting, Orkney’s MSP said: “The disruption to our lifeline air services over recent months has been hugely damaging. From patients missing hospital appointments to the impact on local businesses, the consequences of regular and lengthy delays to flights is keenly felt. “I have been pressing Loganair’s management to address these problems and reduce the number of ‘technical’ faults. I have also called for action to improve communications with passengers. Local staff in Kirkwall do what they can, but the company should be using technology to provide more up to date information to passengers, particularly in the event of delays”.
SNP excludes Orkney from
44%
saving in average fare per passenger
55% saving in average fare with a car
£10m To be spent on RET on West Coast next year. Nothing for Orkney
/Liam4orkney
TRANSPORT
From growing up on Sanday to re you in the Scottish Parliament...
Liam McArthur moved to Sanday with his family in 1977 study politics. He also captained the university foot when he was nine. team and was capped by Scottish Universities.
Island life gave Liam a strong sense of community and Following graduation, Liam headed to London to ta an understanding of the importance of allowing people, on the role of researcher in the House of Commons particularly in island communities, the chance to take then Orkney & Shetland MP, Jim Wallace. This decisions that affect their own lives. friendship would later play a key role in Liam’s deci to return to Orkney. Liam talking to While at Kirkwall Grammar School, where he was a Tavish Scott at a monthly boarder in the school hostel, Liam developed visit to Loganair’s Before then, however, Liam left for Brussels where an active interest in politics, as well as ‘spares pursuinghub’ sports, site spent time working in the European Commission an including football, which would become a lifelong at Glasgow Airport.later as a public affairs consultant, helping compan passion. Representing Orkney in the Junior Inter and organisations engage with the EU. More County clashes against Caithness and arch rivals importantly, it was in Brussels that Liam met his wif Shetland remains one of Liam's proudest Tamsin and they returned to London in 1998 before achievements! starting a family.
SNP excludes After spending a year in Mexico as an American Field Liam was invited to work as Special Adviser to his Orkney from Service student, Liam went to Edinburgh University to friend and political mentor, Jim Wallace, then Depu
First Minister. This gave Liam a taste of the cut-and
44%
saving in average fare per passenger
55% saving in average fare with a car
£10m
Liam has worked hard to develo Liam lives in Burray with his p the close ties that exist between wife Tamsin and their two sons, commu Calum and Tom, who study To be spent on RETnities in Orkney and Malawi, notably in helping school projec ts. at Kirkwall Grammar School. on West Coast next year. Nothing for Orkney
Liam regul the Scottis football tea matches.
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thrust of cross-party working and involvement in high level decision-making in key policy areas such as agriculture, fisheries, enterprise and education. After Jim Wallace's decision to step down as an MSP, Liam decided to put his name forward for selection and was delighted to receive the support of the Orkney Liberal Democrats. Liam was elected as Orkney’s MSP in 2007 and moved back to Orkney with Tamsin and their two sons, Calum and Tom, who entered Burray Primary School. He now spends as much time in Orkney as possible, and is actively involved in local sports and charities, when not performing his parliamentary duties in Edinburgh and beyond. Liam has felt immensely proud to represent the islands he was brought up in and that have helped shape his views and deep commitment to liberalism. In return, he
larly plays for sh Parliament am in charity
Representing Orkney in the junior inter county clashes against Caithness and arch rivals Shetland remains one of Liam's proudest achievements!
Liam gets on his bike in aid of local charities.
health
Tackling mental illness
Most people in Orkney will know someone who has experienced poor mental health, and Liam McArthur has made it one of his top priorities If you, a family member or a friend suffers with mental ill health it can really be a lonely place and it can feel like there is no-one to support you. “We cannot ignore this any longer,” said Liam. “Mental health is overlooked by governments and I want this to change. “If someone breaks their leg or has a heart condition we know exactly what to do. They get seen by a doctor and can receive the treatment they need. Liam chairing a mental health discussion at Kirkwall Youth Cafe
“We need to treat mental health the same. Getting people the treatment they need, close to their home, in a timely manner.”
Beds for new Balfour Hospital Liam McArthur is fighting for the best services for generations to come Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has pressed the SNP Government to review bed provision at the new Balfour Hospital. Mr McArthur’s questions followed discussions with local councillors and detailed research carried out by a constituent, Dr Ian Cunningham, into projections of how many beds are likely to be needed in the new Balfour hospital.
Calculations on the basis of the figures obtained under Freedom of Information have given rise to fears that the new hospital may not have a sufficient number of beds. Liam McArthur has therefore called on the Health Secretary to “look again at the assumptions that are being made by NHS Orkney to justify the planned bed numbers.” Commenting further, he said:
“The new Balfour Hospital is much needed and long overdue. It has the potential to deliver real improvements for patients in Orkney. “It is vital, however, that the new hospital meets the needs of the local community now and into the future. People in Orkney will want to be reassured that bed numbers in the new hospital are sufficient and based on an accurate assessment.”
CONNECTIVITY
Improving digital services
Mobile phone and broadband coverage are increasingly essential. Plans for investment in Orkney, however, are still set to leave gaps…
Getting better broadband and mobile phone coverage for the islands has long been a priority for Orkney's MSP. Liam McArthur is calling for operators, working with government, the council and others to help deliver the services that Orkney needs.
public. Plans for investment have been put forward, but we need to see these implemented soon. Even then, significant gaps are likely to remain. Closing these gaps must be the priority for any future funding. Access to key services, the success of local businesses and our ability to attract and retain Commenting, Liam said: "Improved people to live and work in our broadband and mobile phone islands depend on delivering a coverage is essential for local reliable, affordable and high quality businesses as well as the wider digital infrastructure.”
Keeping our police local Liam McArthur has criticised the decision to close the emergency call centres in Inverness and Aberdeen. The closures mean that any 999 or 101 calls from Orkney will be answered in the Central Belt, despite a review into call centre operations highlighting concerns with regard to the closure plans. Commenting, Liam said: “I have long made the case that the closure of call
centres in Inverness and Aberdeen would result in a loss of local knowledge. Despite cross-party pleas, this SNP Government have ignored the warnings. “Communities in Orkney will rightly feel let down once again by the SNP’s decision to centralise services. “Police Scotland must ensure that any new system is robustly tested before any closures take place.”
What police staff think
3/4
officers felt they had insufficient resources to do their job properly
95% believed that Police Scotland was not interested in their wellbeing Police Service of Scotland and Scottish Police Authority 2015 Opinion Survey
Liam spends a lot of his time spe aking to local people, finding out the iss ues that matter and helping address con cerns. team of Liam helping Nick Card and his ss of volunteers at the remarkable Ne Brodgar archaeology site. Liam lends a hand to support local schools across Orkney. Pictured at the Glaitness Primary School ‘car wash’.
It’s Lib Dem or SNP here
Liam heading to Papa Westray for a surgery. Pictured with Julie ist Gibson, Orkney County Archaelog
Only Liam Lib SNP Dem McArthur can beat the 39% 41% SNP here. Conservatives and Labour can’t win.
Lab 7%
Con 9% 2015 General Election result in Orkney and Shetland.
The Scottish Parliament election in Orkney is a two horse race between Liam McArthur and the SNP. A choice between Liam, with a strong track record
for Orkney and who will stand up and be heard on local issues, or the SNP, who have failed to prioritise Orkney after 8 years of Government. Follow the link below to see why our readers are backing Liam McArthur on May 5th.
Printed by MBM Print, 166 Riverford Road, Glasgow, G43 1PT. Promoted by Ruth Williams on behalf of Liam McArthur (Orkney Liberal Democrats) at Fairholm, Finstown, KW17 2EQ. Map contains OS data @ Crown copyright 2015.