No community could have done more

BY THIS time next week, we should know the fate of RAF Lossiemouth, and what is to happen to the Kinloss base after the air force leaves.

Tuesday is being tipped as D-Day, bringing to an end well over a year of speculation on one of the most important chapters in the long and proud history of Moray.

Seldom has the area faced a more testing time, with major population shifts and job losses threatening to deliver a crushing blow to the economy, already damaged by uncertainty, on top of a recession.

Moray has mounted a fierce campaign to retain RAF Lossiemouth, and to seek assurances that the base at Kinloss will be put to good use, with support given to the Forres and Kinloss area in making a recovery.

Decisions are badly needed, and have been for some time. Speculation has hurt Moray badly, with businesses wary of investing and the public wary of spending, or risking jobs or livelihoods.

And still the speculation continued this week, with reports in some national newspapers suggesting victory for Leuchars in Fife, and the Army destined for Moray.

Moray’s fierce campaigning has been to maintain the RAF link at Lossiemouth, but if the Army has a part to play, there is Kinloss to accommodate them. An Army invasion of both bases would not be good news, given that its return from Germany seems some years off.

The delay would mean more uncertainty, more damage to the economy – and who can trust the Ministry of Defence, or Government, to deliver on a pledge and not change its mind along the way?

The best result would be to keep RAF Lossiemouth and be given a clear vision for Kinloss, whether there is an Army involvement or whether the land is to be released for business development and the facilities made available for other uses.

We are waiting and hoping.

You, the people, have done a remarkable job in making the whole country wake up to the campaign to save RAF Lossiemouth. Your passion and commitment, not least from the march in Lossiemouth, the 32,000-signature petition and the trip to London to deliver it, has put Lossie and Moray on the map.

No community could have done more.