Conservatives are standing 'shoulder to shoulder' with armed forces, says Struan Mackie
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Conservative candidate Struan Mackie has pledged that his party will stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the armed forces and ensure that military personnel and their families have access to vital services.
A bill from his party would further enshrine the Armed Forces Covenant into law in Scotland for devolved services including local authorities and the NHS. Businesses would also be encouraged to sign up to the covenant.
He said the move would help serving and former military personnel access jobs, education, the property market and healthcare, which would in turn benefit communities and the local economy.
The Conservatives are also pledging to introduce a specific help-to-buy scheme to support veterans and their families when buying a home in Scotland, blaming the SNP for shutting down a previous scheme.
Veterans' households that are in receipt of Universal Credit will be able to receive an extra £520 a year under the party’s plans if they fall into financial distress.
Councillor Mackie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council, is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in the Holyrood election.
He said: “Communities in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross have played an essential role in our military history. However, warm words praising our personnel are simply not enough.
“All too often, too many of our veterans are failed and their sacrifices are not recognised. By further enshrining the Armed Forces Covenant into law, we can guarantee our military personnel in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross will have access to vital services.
“The Scottish Conservatives are standing shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces and our veteran community. We have already ensured that personnel stationed in Scotland are not being hit by the SNP’s higher rates of income taxes.
“These pledges show our commitment to truly valuing the sacrifices that our armed forces have made. It will help them transition into civilian life and play a key role in the communities they live in.
“I am committed to ensuring servicemen and women who wish to make Caithness, Sutherland and Ross their home know that they will be treated as heroes.”
