Dear Editor
Nationalist MP Angus Brendan Macneil’s willingness to haughtily pontificate on any subject in the presence of a camera or microphone cannot disguise the scarcity of any practical benefits his well-paid parliamentary career has brought the Western Isles.
This fact was highlighted by a recent heartfelt plea from Cllr D J Macrae who hoped to enlist the MP’s services in helping solve issues of a practical nature – inshore fisheries, and unreliable phone communications faced by his constituents. Regrettably, I would think this a forlorn hope for the taxi-driving Western Isles councillor.
An abysmal progress report shows that Angus Macneil’s enthusiasm for any cause is dependent on whether it can be turned into an ‘us and them’ Scotland/Western Isles versus “Westminster” (formerly “London Labour”) confrontation. Grey areas where there are no obvious heroes and villains defined by there geographical location either north or south of Hadrian’s Wall cannot be allowed to intrude into Macneil’s black and white ‘us and them’ world . This blinkered and divisive outlook has, despite his personal popularity, made Angus Brendan into possibly the Western Isles most ineffectual UK MP to date
His parliamentary career aside, Councillor Macrae urges Angus Macneil to become more involved in local Comhairle business by inviting him to visit the council chamber. He even offered to bring the Barra parliamentarian to the White House in his taxi which could turn out a very expensive fare indeed if Cllr Macrae’s fellow councillors decide to further reduce funding for inter-island flights.
But is such council involvement advisable when we all know Macneil will turn every issue into an ‘us and them’ Nationalist grudge match, increasingly so as the Independence Referendum looms closer? How is that simplistic outlook going to help the Western Isles population solve the often complex problems of our inter-connected, borderless 21st-century world?
If Councillor Macrae does ever entice Angus Macneil into his taxi, he should bypass the White House and instead drop him off at the Creed Park recycling centre where they’re able to convert even the most defunct and unproductive items to a more useful purpose.
Yours faithfully
Iain M Macdonald
PS : I’ve asked Iain to assume ‘ comments off ‘mode for my letter. The reason being that as a matter of principle I don’t believe anyone other than those facing retribution for speaking out deserves a public platform for criticising behind a cloak of anonymity. Otherwise, commentators who supply a verifiable name and address are very welcome to give their opinion – I M M
