16 April 2010: BSCG thanks all the candidates for participating in the well attended environmental question time and our chairman for ensuring there was lively debate. A spokesperson for the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group that organized the event also commented; “the candidates should have been left in no doubt that issues relating to the environment are important to voters and that we ignore concerns about the environment at our peril”..

Event photos:

From left to right: Ross Durance (UK Independence Party), Donnie Macleod (Green), John Finnie (Scottish National Party), Danny Alexander (Highland Liberal Democrats), David Dean OBE (Chairman), Jim Ferguson (Conservative), George MacDonald (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Mike Robb (Scottish Labour Party). Photo: Dr Gus Jones. May be used for reporting event.

Download high resolution version for media use.

From left to right: Mike Robb (Scottish Labour Party), George MacDonald (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Jim Ferguson (Conservative), Danny Alexander (Highland Liberal Democrats), John Finnie (Scottish National Party), Ross Durance (UK Independence Party), Donnie Macleod (Green), David Dean OBE (Chairman). Photo: Roy Brown. May be used for reporting event.

Download high resolution version for media use.

Candidates:

Danny Alexander, Highland Liberal Democrats www.dannyalexander.org.uk
Ross Durance, UK Independence Party candidates.ukip.org
Jim Ferguson, Conservative www.jim2win.eu
John Finnie, Scottish National Party johnfinnie.snpinsight.com
George MacDonald, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition www.tusc.org.uk
Donnie Macleod, Green higp.scottishgreens.org.uk
Mike Robb, Scottish Labour Party www.mikerobb.org.uk

We are also following all the candidates that have twitters on the BSCG twitter www.twitter.com/bscgscotland

Danny Alexander MP - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey has said to BSCG:

"Climate change is the biggest long-term challenge that we face. Our environment is the single greatest economic asset we have in the Highlands - its value goes far beyond monetary terms - and it must be cherished and protected."

"At this election, Liberal Democrats recognise both the threat that comes from global climate change and the opportunities that exist for the Highlands in green energy by committing to rebuild a fairer and more sustainable economy after Labour's recession. In doing that, we can add a resurgence in Highland manufacturing jobs at places like Nigg and Ardersier to the world-leading research and development which already takes place locally in marine renewable energy technologies."

Note: On Friday April 16th BSCG is holding a General Election Hustings.

Mike Robb Labour Candidate - Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey has said to BSCG:

"Securing our environment alongside securing the recovery must be vital priorities for the next UK Government.  I believe that Climate Change and Global Warming are real and that many of the factors contributing to them are caused by our own actions and inactions as a society and as individuals.

Dealing with climate change needs national Government to take the lead to ensure that we reduce our dependency on greenhouse gas generating energy sources.    But we must do this in ways which support and sustain local communities.  That means prioritising investments which create jobs, help reduce fuel poverty and minimise unnecessary impact on the local environment.

We need to spend as much time, money and effort on radical measures to reduce energy consumption, improve energy efficiency and promote community-based renewable schemes, as we do building industrial scale wind farms.

The Highlands are a focus for such investments with so many high windy places and powerful offshore sources of energy.   That will inevitably mean facing up to some difficult decisions.  My priority will be to ensure we exploit our natural resources in ways which benefit us all and don't just line the pockets of the energy companies.

In the Highlands we also need to work out the best way to develop facilities for job-generating tourism and building affordable housing for local working families, whilst minimising the impact on our traditional landscapes."

www.mikerobb.org.uk

Note: On Friday April 16th BSCG is holding a General Election Hustings.

Friday 16th April 7.30 - 9.00 pm at Talla nan Ros, King Street, Kingussie

BSCG is keen to see that our candidates put the environment high on their political agenda. On Friday April 16th BSCG is holding a General Election Hustings event focusing on the environment. This is at Talla nan Ros, King St, Kingussie from 7.30-9.00pm, and it is free and open to everyone.

All seven candidates contesting the Inverness Badenoch & Strathspey Westminster seat have been invited and we are looking forward to a lively evening of questions from the audience to the candidates.

We are privileged to have David Dean OBE of Nethy Bridge as Chairman for the evening. Most of the evening will be devoted to questions on the environment, and the latter part of the meeting will be available for questions on other issues. The candidates will each talk for a few minutes about their views on environmental issues, with a focus on Badenoch & Strathspey.

Please open and print event poster.

Candidates:

Danny Alexander, Highland Liberal Democrats www.dannyalexander.org.uk
Ross Durance, UK Independence Party candidates.ukip.org
Jim Ferguson, Conservative www.jim2win.eu
John Finnie, Scottish National Party johnfinnie.snpinsight.com
George MacDonald, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition www.tusc.org.uk
Donnie Macleod, Green higp.scottishgreens.org.uk
Mike Robb, Scottish Labour Party www.mikerobb.org.uk

We are also following all the candidates that have twitters on the BSCG twitter www.twitter.com/bscgscotland