The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Bruce MP

Gordon MP Sir Malcolm Bruce has welcomed measures in this year's Queen Speech which will promote growth and encourage small businesses and the energy sector, overhaul the pensions system to make it fairer for all and empower the consumer with more rights.

Sir Malcolm said:

"While the priority of the Coalition in this Parliament has been and will continue to be to get the UK's economy back on track, the Parliamentary programme as outlined in this year's Queen's Speech will quietly change and modernise the way we live through greater protections and simplifying the way we do business and access our pensions."

Local MP Sir Malcolm Bruce has welcomed the news that East Garioch councillor Fergus Hood has quit the SNP to join the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

He commented: "The Scottish Liberal Democrat group on the council is delivering for Aberdeenshire and I am pleased that Cllr Hood has decided to join our team.

Local MP Sir Malcolm Bruce has said that he is disappointed by the refusal of the Scottish Government to install lighting on the A90 to make it safer for pedestrians and a community divided by the trunk road.

A report concluded in August 2012 that there was no case for the provision of lighting at the Tipperty and Bridgend junctions. Whilst Sir Malcolm did help secure additional warning signs at the existing pedestrian crossing points, he urged the Scottish Government to look again at whether to install lighting in the area.

Sir Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, last weekend joined members of the local community and other North East politicians at the launch of Better Together in Aberdeenshire, the campaign to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom.

The public meeting at the Hopeville Social Club in Inverurie was attended by 160 people from across Aberdeenshire and gave the community the chance to learn more about the Better Together campaign and hear why Scotland should remain a strong part of the United Kingdom.

Sir Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, has said that farmers and food producers in the North East will be delighted that there will be a new ombudsman to protect them in their dealings with the major supermarkets.

The Groceries Code Adjudicator Act was passed last week and will create a new body with the power to name and shame or impose fines upon the ten largest supermarkets if they mistreat their suppliers.

Sir Malcolm Bruce, MP for Gordon, has visited craft beer company Brewdog to hear how the local business is rapidly expanding and quickly achieving international success.

Brewdog opened its new £8 million world class craft brewery in Ellon in December 2012 and has become a major local employer. The company will also shortly open its twelfth bar - its first overseas - in Stockholm.

Three Cabinet Ministers show commitment to NE and oil and gas

It must be a unique event for no fewer than three cabinet ministers to appear on the same platform in Aberdeen. The fact that it occurred shows the commitment of the Government and particularly Liberal Democrat Ministers to the future of the oil and gas industry.

Sir Malcolm Bruce, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon, last week welcomed the Business Secretary Vince Cable to Gordon and took him on a tour of the Glen Garioch distillery in Oldmeldrum.

Established in 1797, Glen Garioch is one of Scotland's oldest operating distilleries. Sourcing many of its ingredients locally, it produces approximately 4,500 litres of whisky per day.

Sir Malcolm Bruce last week visited Formartine's, an eatery and outdoor hub located between Tarves and Methlick, and hailed the business' success as it approaches its first birthday.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Gordon was given a tour of the versatile business and surrounding woodlands by owner John Cooper.