Dave Thompson MSP

The search for a replacement Post Office location in Aviemore has highlighted the essential nature of the Post Office and Royal Mail to rural areas. I have made my position clear on the issue – we must ensure that these vital services maintain a presence in all our communities, especially remote and rural areas where internet connections can be limited.

As an asset of the UK state, an independent Scotland would be entitled to a proportionate share of the Post Office and Royal Mail, just as an independent Scotland will take on its share of the UK debt. This share would probably be the buildings and operations in Scotland. Our postal service would then be protected by the Scottish Parliament, through the social justice agenda for the future that is one of the founding principles of the Yes Movement and the Common Weal initiative by the Jimmy Reid Foundation.

It is important to retain public ownership as a purely commercial operation would levy exorbitant charges on remote and rural areas, or even withdraw the service entirely. Successive London Governments, regardless of the party holding power, have continued to advance the privatisation agenda, and we have seen the Universal Obligation steadily chipped away at as the most profitable parts are removed. It is clear to me that the only way to defend our postal service is through independence.

I recently hosted an event in the Parliament to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Cairngorms Natural Park Authority. I believe that the establishment of a national park has been a good thing for the land and wildlife, but also for the people who live within the vast expanse of the Park. The Park Authority has an environmental mission, but also a social mission and I believe they have been successful at balancing these two ambitions.

There have been a number of exciting developments which have brought a great many benefits to the people who live within the National Park. I am excited by the prospect of future developments such as the proposal to build a substantial number of social houses in the various housing projects which are being promoted by the Park Authority, most notably An Camas Mor.

I was delighted to celebrate the first ten years of the Cairngorm National Park Authorities life, and I hope the next ten can be as successful, if not more.