FORMER SNP justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has criticised the party for pursuing an ‘opposition for opposition’s sake’ stance on the closure of military bases.
Mr MacAskill, writing in today’s Herald, suggested there is a case for closures, with eight of Scotland’s 22 sites to be shut, including Fort George, over the next 15 years.
But he added that there was a need for investment in the local community surrounding Fort George in Inverness.
Read more: SNP urge Labour to suspend candidate in Charles Kennedy row
He also criticised the Scottish Conservatives for opposing the closure of police stations.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said last week that major Army bases that also include Glencorse Barracks near Penicuik, Midlothian, and Redford Cavalry and Infantry Barracks in Edinburgh are among more than 56 sites to shut across the UK.
Naval base MoD Caledonia in Rosyth, Fife, Condor Airfield, near Arbroath, Angus, Craigiehall Barracks in Edinburgh and Forthside Barracks in Stirling will also close.
Sir Michael told the House of Commons military bases would instead be at "fewer, better locations" in Scotland.
But Deputy First Minister John Swinney described the closures in Scotland as "brutal cuts" that were"deeply distressing".
Read more: SNP urge Labour to suspend candidate in Charles Kennedy row
It also emerged that Police Scotland was considering the closure of one in five police stations in Scotland, with the future of 58 offices at risk as part of a review of its estate.
Premises potentially under threat include those in Carnoustie, Broughty Ferry, Leith, Hawick, Oban, Campbeltown, Port Glasgow, Ayr, Hamilton and Larkhall.
Opposition MSPs voiced concern, with Conservative community safety spokesman Oliver Mundell saying it would "erode he police presence in communities right across the country".
Mr MacAskill said: "The SNP has complained loud and long about the planned shutting of military bases, whilst in Holyrood the Tories have protested vigorously about the proposed closure of police stations.
"Both are right to be concerned about some of the suggestions, as well as quite correct to raise the impact on local communities. But both are wrong to deny that, as the services have changed and the needs adapted, closure of many is inevitable.
"The military has shrunk in this country. In 1922 there were 100,000 British soldiers in Ireland alone at the end of its War of Independence. Now there isn’t even that number in total around the world.
Read more: SNP urge Labour to suspend candidate in Charles Kennedy row
"With many being absent on rotation and often those at home preferring the comfort of a flat with their partner to a spartan barracks, there’s surplus accommodation. Moreover, bases built to garrison the Highlands or elsewhere centuries ago are not what’s required today.
"All that doesn’t mask the problems to be faced. The loss of Fort George, albeit deferred, will be a huge blow to the economy of the Highlands. Similar effects will be felt with other closures in other areas. The money injected into communities is substantial and other services such as schools can be affected. Action is needed to alleviate the problems caused and help is required to adapt to the changed world thereafter."
He said both parties should recognise the need for change in modern times amid financial pressures.
He added: “Let us have constructive criticism by all means. But it’s time for an end to opposition for opposition’s sake. That will better serve our communities.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel