TORIES MUST OWN UP TO FOUR DECADES OF DECEIT.

TORIES MUST OWN UP TO FOUR DECADES OF DECEIT.



ONLY THE SNP WILL STAND UP FOR SCOTTISH FISHERIES

SNP MEP and member of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee Ian
Hudghton has rounded on the Scottish Conservative Party for colluding with
Labour in four decades of deceit of Scotland’s fishing communities.

*1970s: Ted Heath’s Government claim Scottish fisheries are "expendable"
in EU negotiations
*1980s: Margaret Thatcher enters the Common Fisheries Policy
*1990s: John Major supported regulations which gave Scottish fishing
quotas to Spain
*2000s: David Cameron reneged on his commitment to scrap the CFP

Speaking in advance of the Conservative Party’s European Campaign launch,
Mr Hudghton said:

“It was a Tory Government who described Scotland’s fisheries as
‘expendable’ in the 1970s and this has been the party line every since.

“Margaret Thatcher led us into the disastrous Common Fisheries Policy in
1983 and successive Tory leaders have kept us there - at the cost of
thousands of jobs in our fishing communities.

“The Scottish Conservatives have been selling out our coastal communities
for years.

“They may spin a line in Scotland but we know the Tories always trot along
behind their London leaders when it comes to voting against Scotland’s
best interests.

"In contrast the SNP works with Scotland's fishing communities to get the
best deal for them in Brussels and to protect Scotland's fisheries jobs.

“It’s time for the Scottish Conservatives to own up to four decades of
deceit.”

Mr Hudghton added:

“Scotland has some of the best marine resources in Europe and our fishing
communities have what it takes to thrive once more.

“What Scotland needs is a strong voice to speak for Scottish fisheries in
Europe. Working together, the Scottish Government and SNP MEPs are the
only party who will speak up for Scotland’s coastal communities as Europe
re-writes the Common Fisheries Policy.

“A vote for the SNP at the forthcoming European elections is a vote for
Scotland’s fishing industry and the vital jobs it supports.

“Powers over fisheries must be returned to Europe’s fishing nations, and
the SNP is committed to bringing these powers home.”