Caithness call for Sturgeon successor to drop opposition to nuclear power and move away from centralisation of services
Scotland's new First Minister should drop the SNP's opposition to nuclear power and move away from the centralisation of services.
That was said by Caithness councillors Matthew Reiss, Andrew Jarvie and Ron Gunn following the shock resignation of Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday morning.
Matthew Reiss, independent Highland councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said: "At a personal level, I wish her well for the future whatever it holds for her. Nicola Sturgeon was a very hard-working First Minister with remarkable stamina.
"Looking to the future, many of my constituents tell me the Scottish Government feels remote and does not always understand far north issues, so I hope the new First Minister can do four things to help our current situation.
"Firstly, arrange for the consultant-led maternity service to be restored at Caithness General hospital – similar to the one in Orkney. Secondly, find much-needed money for the roads. Thirdly, also find specific money to speed up broadband rollout. Fourthly, stop opposition to nuclear power.
"These requests would help stem depopulation of the county. Over and above these everyday matters, everything the Scottish Government does needs to be mindful of the situation in Ukraine and offer 100 per cent support to NATO."
Councillor Andrew Jarvie (Wick and East Caithness), a former Conservative who left the party to stand unaffiliated, said: "Of all the fiascos and failures she has overseen in her time as First Minister, I think we will be forever in the dark as to the true reason she quit out of the blue.
"The SNP’s signature policy of centralisation has been felt the harshest in Caithness and only served to further drive people away from the area.
"We have no idea who will succeed her yet. I can only hope they are open to putting in place policies which actually work, and drop the SNP’s absurd stance of no new nuclear development. That one most of all is seeing Caithness decline while new reactors are announced all over the UK."
Ron Gunn (Thurso and Northwest Caithness, Liberal Democrat) said: "For the last few weeks there have been indications that things are not all well in the upper levels of the SNP but the timing of the First Minister’s resignation did take me by surprise.
"I never met Nicola Sturgeon but I wish her well for the future. More importantly, and looking forward, the far north has tremendous potential and I hope whoever takes over listens to the many concerns the people of Caithness have and takes the necessary action to make the improvements needed.
"I would also like to see the replacement First Minister move away from the centralisation of services so that the folk of Caithness do not continue to feel as though they have been forgotten."
His Thurso and Northwest Caithness colleague Karl Rosie (SNP) said: "We must thank Nicola Sturgeon for her service. Her period of eight years as deputy leader of the SNP and eight years as First Minister has been remarkable during a period of considerable turmoil.
"Her commitment and effort demonstrated during the Covid crisis has clearly taken its toll and I wish her well with whatever she does in the future."
He added: "The challenges for her successor are significant, with Brexit Britain placing the people of Scotland in an increasingly difficult financial position. I look forward to a refocus and drive explaining how a progressive and vibrant independent Scotland will benefit our businesses and communities."
Councillor Willie Mackay (Wick and East Caithness, independent) said: "This may have come as a big surprise, even a shock to many, but being a realist I was not shocked or surprised. First Minister or not, the pressure she was enduring every day could not continue.
"Nobody is indispensable and no doubt she would have thought long and hard about her decision in the hope that perhaps younger SNP members will take up the reins. I wish her well for the future."
Fellow Wick and East Caithness councillor Jan McEwan (Lib Dem) said: "This came as a surprise to me. She has served as First Minister for eight years, which is a long time in such a high demanding office. I wish her all the very best for the future."
Councillors Raymond Bremner (Wick and East Caithness), the Highland Council leader, and Struan Mackie (Thurso and Northwest Caithness) were also contacted for comment.
