Dave Thompson MSP

I hope that all readers have had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. The festive season is a great time of year to catch up with friends and family, but I also hope that everyone was able to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus said, “Love your neighbour as yourself”, and at this time of year we are encouraged to help those who are less fortunate, whether it be by checking on a vulnerable neighbour, or supporting one of the very many charities who do their best to bring a little relief at this time of year. While Christmas and New Year have come and gone, we are likely to have some difficult weather in the coming weeks and months, so it will be particularly important to ensure the vulnerable people in our communities are well looked after.

I was extremely disappointed to read Charles Kennedy’s attack on the Scottish Government’s use of the £50 million funding from Westminster for the sleeper service between the Highlands and London. The attack is at best misleading and at worst reveals that he doesn’t understand the investment process.

Improving the rolling stock used for the service is, unfortunately, not as simple as picking a new carriage off the shelves like a loaf of bread. A detailed specification needs to be designed, and then a competitive tendering process held to ensure that the contract is handled appropriately. Indeed, we have recently seen what happens when a Government rushes a decision such as this; witness the fiasco surrounding the UK West Coast contract and the huge waste of £100 million of public money involved.

Keith Brown has rightly requested that Westminster remove the bizarre requirement that the £50 million be spent within six months, which they agreed to, and has committed to matching this with £50 million from the Scottish Government. The money is, in the meantime, secure and I am confident that Keith will deliver an improved sleeper service as soon as possible, and without running the risk of making errors through a rushed decision.
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.