Chamber and committees

Farmers are at the heart of any food production system. The fundamental problem that we are facing is that, with the poor rural support plan, current subsidies such as the less favoured area support scheme are not hitting the mark. More and more farmers in my area, the Highlands and Islands, are raising the question of the future of LFASS. Will the minister confirm what the future is for subsidies such as LFASS?

I will try to keep to that, Presiding Officer.

It has certainly been an interesting debate to listen to. My colleague Murdo Fraser talked about the word salad of the motion. I was not quite sure what I should zone in on, but I will start with the title, which is “Scotland Needs Reform”. On that point, I think that there is broad agreement across the chamber. After 19 years of the SNP, I would certainly say that Scotland is in desperate need of change.

Reform seems to have arrived in the Scottish Parliament and in politics as some sort of revolutionary force. However, the reality, at least at the beginning, is far less impressive. The foxes in the hen house had barely unpacked their suitcases when they were putting the media in a pen outside, which I thought was pretty shocking. The truth is that being in opposition—[Interruption.] Thomas Kerr can shout from the sidelines all he likes, but he shouts enough online and nobody is listening any more.

The truth is that being in opposition is not about posting slogans on social media or unilaterally declaring yourself to be the voice of the people; it is about consistently holding Governments to account. That is exactly what the Scottish Conservatives have done, are doing and will do to take Scotland forward over the next five years. When businesses such as those who contacted me in Lossiemouth were crying out for support, it was the Scottish Conservatives who repeatedly challenged the SNP on non-domestic rates. We led the calls for a pause on NDR, but the SNP refused to listen.

Only this morning, I spoke, by chance, to a constituent whom I met outside the Parliament and who, having travelled more than 100 miles, was standing in the sun just to make the point that he is trapped in a cycle of despair because the empty property rates on a shop that he cannot sell and that he has had his entire life are taking his pension. Representatives of funeral parlours in Moray met me to say that hikes simply cannot be afforded, so they are being forced to increase the costs of a funeral. Yesterday’s statement on non-domestic rates was a non-event—yet another discussion, yet another delay and an act of inaction when our businesses need to hear when change will finally happen.

When others were afraid to discuss welfare reform, we were prepared to have that conversation, not because it is easy but because responsible government requires difficult conversations. When Scotland’s ferries descended into chaos, it was us—the Scottish Conservatives—who continued to relentlessly pursue answers. That situation is an ongoing tragedy and is to the massive detriment of my constituents who live on the west coast of Scotland. When will we see CalMac and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd brought together and local people put on the board so that they are truly empowered in decision making?

When promises on the A9, the A83, the A75 and the A96 were delayed, it was the Scottish Conservatives who stood up for the communities who were left continuously campaigning for the SNP to put the money in the pot. We still have no timeline for the Nairn, Elgin or Keith bypasses. When concerns were raised about the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, we led the opposition. When concerns were raised about the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, we fought the fight. When our fishing industry needed a voice, we were there for it. When our farmers needed certainty, we stood up for them, too, including against a new rural support plan that is less use than the proverbial chocolate teapot.

Reform members have mentioned immigration. In my Highlands and Islands region, communities have raised legitimate questions about pressures on housing, services and local capacity. The situation around Cameron barracks has been an example that has led people of all political persuasions to reasonably ask for clarity and reassurance. I do not approach immigration by seeking to divide communities or inflame tensions, as Reform appears to. I seek solutions even when they are difficult or unpopular in parts of this chamber.

I think you have to inwardly reflect on what you just said. I do not want to back up any other party in the chamber, but the point is—we heard this from the Liberal Democrats and Labour today—that your language is different outside the chamber. What you say outside the chamber inflames tensions in a way that we do not need. The language that you use, that Thomas Kerr—who shouted at me a minute ago—uses online and that Nigel Farage, your leader down in London, uses is horrendous. [Interruption.] It is absolutely inappropriate language—just stop. You need to learn how to do this properly.

The Scottish Conservatives recognise that a strong economy is not some optional extra but the foundation on which everything else depends. I actually agree with Reform, and others, that it is all about the economy. Good public services and jobs and rising living standards require a strong economy, which means that we must be prepared to think differently.

Scotland definitely does need reforming, but reform is not a slogan, a marketing exercise or a newly arrived party self-righteously declaring itself to be the answer to every question. Reform is in the hard, often unglamorous work of challenging failure, standing up for business, supporting communities and demanding better from the Government. That is what the Scottish Conservatives have done, it is what we are doing today and it is the common sense that we need if we want a brighter future for Scotland.

17:04

I absolutely recognise that. The member has just taken me back to a tour that I was given of Dounreay, which was an experimental site—did it have fast reactors, or something like that? I am not an expert, but the member is absolutely right that work was being done. We could have continued with it—we did not need to stop.

As Paul Sweeney mentioned a minute ago, the way in which we talk about nuclear in the political discussion often sees us thinking about the nuclear of the past, but that is not where we are any more. Small modular reactors are changing. Wales and England are embracing that; we could, too. We could have highly skilled jobs and good incomes, which are deeply important in rural communities such as Caithness and north Sutherland.

I have received an email from one of the nuclear associations, which said that an electricity margin notice was issued last night. I am sure that members will know what that means, but for anyone who does not know, it means that there was high demand for electricity. I do not know how many members had fans on or the air conditioning on in their hotel last night, because it was so warm. That was the first time since January 2025 that that has happened, but it is predicted that it will happen more often. Apparently, Torness was at full power when that happened. If it had not been there, which the SNP wants, we would be thousands of megawatts of electricity down. I do not know what to make of that, but I think that prices would surge and, potentially, we would have blackouts. That is not a world that I want to live in.

In the communities that I represent in the Highlands, people are getting fed up with having wind turbines on every hill that they come across. Nuclear is important and we need to have a grown-up discussion about it. The SNP needs to change its ideological opposition to nuclear.

18:29

I thank my colleague Liam Kerr for securing the motion for debate. He has done a sterling job of representing the nuclear industry for many years. It was also nice to hear about Ibiza; he must enjoy the infamous electronic dance scene there.

I am speaking in the debate because I was introduced to nuclear many years ago for a short period. Way back in the early 2000s, I was a police officer in Caithness, which has Dounreay. I did not know much about nuclear before I went there but, when I was going around Thurso, I got to know just how important the industry is. Stephen Kerr spoke about skills—the entire economy in that area is focused on nuclear. Young people were excited to work in the sector, even though the site was being decommissioned. That is the point: there were good, skilled jobs, which allowed young people to stay in the area, so that they could have crofts and families and build houses. That is why things such as nuclear power are so important, but when there is ideological opposition—the Greens are not even in the room for the debate; they are not even willing to discuss it—it is not a good place for the Government to be.

I learned at that moment, as I am sure is the case down in Torness in the Lothians—[Interruption.] I am happy to give way.

I am not alone in calling for reform of non-domestic rates. New Scottish National Party MSP Jack Middleton has said that there are “flaws in the system” and that the issue is a “top priority”. Even the SNP manifesto promised to rebalance the system.

I have spoken with people from businesses in Moray, including funeral parlours and clothes shops, who have described real pain and uncertainty about their future. We need a clear timeline for change. I do not expect a full timeline right now, but will we get a ministerial statement that draws out what the minister has said, so that we and all businesses in Scotland can be absolutely clear on the timeline for change?

To ask the Scottish Government when it will bring forward proposals to reform the non-domestic rates system. (S7O-00029)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the voting system. I would have voted yes.

I, Tim Eagle, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.