The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

September Column (II)

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Election speculation infects conferences

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The party conference season attracts the media and the political classes but, I suspect, leaves most voters confused or indifferent. This year, they are unusually spiced with election speculation.

The uncertainty helps no-one and reinforces the case for fixed term elections which Labour used to favour when it was in opposition. Voters can be unpredictable if faced with an unnecessary election. That's a risk Gordon Brown might want to avoid.

Last week I attended the Liberal Democrats conference in Brighton. This week I observe Labour's in Bournemouth and next week the Tories are in Blackpool.

I had two opportunities to address the conference. First I spoke in a debate on taxation to call for more local taxes to be retained locally. I think it is absurd that income tax and national insurance is all top sliced by the Treasury when most of it is destined for local services - especially health and education.

So I want local taxes for local services and was pleased that our leader Ming Campbell and Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor agree in principle. We don't more taxes just simpler, fairer and greener.

My second contribution was in a debate on the Middle East. Having visited Israel and Palestine late last year for a report on aid and development I share the view that we need to make progress towards peace.

Israel is an island of democracy in a sea of states which are not. Nevertheless the Palestinians have had free and fair elections, which resulted in the election of Hamas. This is not a welcome result but the consequences have been disastrous for Palestinians leading to the withholding of taxes and the collapse of public services.

My main concern however is the erection of the security fence well inside Palestinian territory and roadblocks which make daily life nearly impossible delaying and obstructing people's access to work, education or hospital. While this continues there can not be a two state solution, It must be addressed.

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Growing Kintore faces amenity challenges

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The rapid expansion of Kintore has created severe pressures in the community. I recently met Aberdeenshire's Director of Education, Bruce Robertson, to discuss some of the problems.

He acknowledged the difficulties being faced. For a number of reasons the roll for the new school has risen faster than expected and capacity has been reached.

Part of the problem resulted from the council's attempt as a planning authority to limit housing developments. This failed on appeal and as a result the council lost some of the planning gain money - a perverse rule in my opinion.

The new houses in Kintore are proving a magnet for families moving out of Aberdeen so this has meant more children than expected. So the nursery is full and so is the school.

The question is what additional education provision may be required as more houses are built and occupied. Will we need another primary school? Will we need another secondary school? Given that children from Kintore go to Kemnay what out of hours facilities can be provided in Kintore?

New playing fields are planned. A new park at Gauchill has also been identified. The question is what can be provided and how quickly?

Given the pressures also being felt at Inverurie and Ellon where new academies are also required it is understandable that there is concern that the Scottish Government cannot accept bids for additional capital funding.

The previous administration did after all deliver us Kintore Primary, Oldmeldrum Academy and other new and upgraded schools but the pressure is building for more.

Understandably people are asking when the promised commuter rail station may be provided and whether Kintore will get its own medical practice.

I'll be doing all I can to support the community in ensuring amenities catch up and then keep pace with development.

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Estonia - Europe's most Liberal country

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I led a delegation of parliamentarians to Estonia last week to exchange views with politicians in one of the most liberal countries in Europe. It was my second visit to the country having led a similar group four years ago.

Britain has played a significant role in Estonia's history as Lloyd George sent the British fleet to Tallinn to help the fledgling republic repel the Bolsheviks in 1918. A plaque in the Church of the Holy Ghost commemorates those British service people who lost their lives.

Sadly Estonia was invaded by the Nazis in 1940 and then by the Soviets in 1941 when almost all of the Government were shot or sent to Labour camps to die.

Through all their turbulent history Estonians managed to keep their language and culture alive. Estonian is akin to Finnish their near neighbour. The country was also under the Swedish crown for many years - a time remembered with affection. So Estonians feel themselves as Scandinavian not Slavs and not close to Russians although there is a large Russian minority in the country. Most of them see their future in Estonia rather than Putin's Russia.

The Prime Minister. Andrus Ansip, who leads the liberal Reform Party is riding the crest of a popularity wave at the moment. He gave us an effusive welcome as he showed us around the Prime Minster's House and the "paperless" cabinet rooms.

The second largest party, who lead the opposition, the Centre Party are also affiliated to the European Liberal group. We also met my good friend, Kristina Ojeland, former foreign minister, former leader of the Liberal Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and currently Deputy Speaker of the Parliament.

Estonia is a model democracy, strongly pro EU and pro NATO, and, although small, strategically important, punching well above its weight and our natural ally.

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Pool campaign goes on despite rebuff

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The campaign for an Olympic sized pool for the North East suffered another setback with the new Scottish Government apparently determined to siphon all the pools money to the central belt.

I am pleased that Aberdeen City Council is not prepared to take no for an answer and will give them my backing to raise the money as best it can.

There is a worthwhile partnership between the city and Aberdeen University to provide sports facilities. We have a growing number of potentially world class swimmers in the North East who deserve good facilities. That is also true of our young gymnasts. Nevertheless, the council clearly have to balance their needs with the wider needs of the city. I am pleased that's what they are trying to do.

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Scope for Marine Technology

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The Energy Technologies Institute debacle has left Aberdeen, for the time being out in the cold, as the Institute is to be based in Loughborough. The argument seems to be that the emphasis will be on electricity generation rather than energy production.

There is little doubt that, left to its own devices, the Aberdeen team might have preferred to seek partners south of the border rather than being forced into a flawed Scottish bid.

The North East's assets are 900 companies with relevant technology in oil and gas and offshore and sub-sea capacities. These could usefully be adapted to developing offshore wind, tidal and wave power and the challenge now is for Aberdeen to find a way of securing some of the research spending of the new institute.

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Experience defeats ageism

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I found the obsession of the media with Ming Campbell's age and the possible succession, desperately superficial and blatantly ageist. Nowhere did I find delegates yearning for a change and by the end of Ming's closing speech the conference gave him an enthusiastic reception for someone with integrity authority and experience - all qualities conspicuously lacking in the leader of the Conservative Party.