Moray campaigners take 'compelling case' for RAF Lossiemouth to Westminster
05 November 2010
Campaigners fighting to save thousands of RAF jobs in Scotland are taking their arguments to the top levels of UK Government.
Business and community leaders in the Moray Task Force have compiled what they're calling 'a compelling case' for retaining RAF Lossiemouth as a base for the present Tornado fleet and future Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
Moray Task Force was formed in response to the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review and the case is being sent to Prime Minister David Cameron and Defence Secretary Liam Fox today.
The taskforce's Calum MacPherson, of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, commented:
"The national significance of the RAF's role in Scotland is demonstrated by the endorsement from each of Scotland's political leaders for Moray task force's case. The devastating double blow of withdrawing the Tornadoes from Moray, on top of the cancellation of the Nimrods, would constitute a cut of more than 70% in RAF personnel in Scotland."
Evidence for the Moray submission has been collated for the task force by economic and strategic defence experts, and has drawn on research from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the independent defence and security think tank the Royal United Services Institute.
"The task force's strategic military arguments highlight that the MoD itself identified that RAF Lossiemouth was the best place to base the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, both in terms of cost and location. In addition, Lossiemouth's proximity to some of Europe's best training grounds offers huge advantages to RAF pilots," said Mr MacPherson.
He added: "RAF Lossiemouth is deeply rooted within the Moray community. The social and economic impact of closing a base which supports over 3,000 jobs is unthinkable. The task force has acted swiftly to provide a compelling case that the future of the RAF and its fighter squadrons should be in Moray."
Task force business representative Elliot Robertson has been lobbying UK Government Ministers over the future of the Moray bases.
"Westminster should not underestimate the Moray community's strength of feeling. Thousands of people will converge at Lossiemouth on Sunday to show their support. Moray task force is working hard to convey that local passion for the RAF's part in the area, and we will strenuously oppose any decision which we believe is not in the best interests of Moray, the UK taxpayer, or the UK defence strategy."
Latest action
01 July 2011
Next Task Force meeting»23 June 2011
HIE speed networking event»09 June 2011
Event - International Business Development »07 June 2011
Event - How to get to £5m in 5 years»16 May 2011
Community rising to the challenge»14 May 2011
Life in Operations»08 May 2011
Your invitation to a unique celebration»20 April 2011
PM visits Task Force in Inverness»15 April 2011
Moray Task Force met to share latest activities. »14 April 2011
Sandy Park, Convener of Highland Council, visited RAF Lossiemouth. »10 March 2011
Make it Moray brings energy to the region»04 March 2011
Next task force meeting»03 March 2011
Scotland Office visit»02 March 2011
Lossiemouth Squadron to be Disbanded»19 February 2011
Moray people celebrate RAF homecoming»18 February 2011
Work Club launch»17 February 2011
Shadow Scottish Secretary comes to Moray.»16 February 2011
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather returns to Moray »14 February 2011
Children of Moray show their support»11 February 2011
Next task force meeting»02 February 2011
Work club set up»28 January 2011
Moray Chamer of Commerce event»28 January 2011
Next meeting of task force»27 January 2011
Armed Forces Minister coming to Moray»12 January 2011
The Northern Scot People's Petition is handed in to Downing Street.»11 January 2011
Battle bus goes to London»10 January 2011
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather comes to Moray »17 December 2010
What's next?»17 December 2010
MoD, Treasury and task force meeting. »10 December 2010
BBC's Big Debate - CANCELLED due to adverse weather conditions. »08 December 2010
First Minister explores Scottish Government support for Moray»07 December 2010
HIE conducting survey of creative industries in Moray»06 December 2010
Follow up on public agency stakeholders meeting »06 December 2010
Business event»03 December 2010
Moray task force launches survey to gauge impact of defence cuts on local businesses»25 November 2010
Task force meet MoD and Treasury officials »17 November 2010
Task force meet with wider community»15 November 2010
Task force meet Scottish Government representatives»12 November 2010
Next task force meeting to plan long term strategy »10 November 2010
Meeting being arranged with Liam Fox MP in London»08 November 2010
Thousands march to save RAF Lossiemouth »07 November 2010
First Minister and other Party leaders to attend rally»07 November 2010
Turnout at Lossiemouth rally 'a strong message to the MoD'»05 November 2010
Moray campaigners take 'compelling case' for RAF Lossiemouth to Westminster»05 November 2010
Partnership action agreed to mitigate Moray economic blow»04 November 2010
Community leaders to meet with the task force »03 November 2010
Private members' debate in the Scottish Parliament»02 November 2010
New business line has been set up for companies planning for the future»29 October 2010
Sub-group established to support task force develop submission to MoD»28 October 2010
Local activation of PACE»28 October 2010
John Swinney makes emergency parliamentary statement»27 October 2010
First Minister writes to Defence Secretary»27 October 2010
Northern Scot launches a campaign to collate signatures »21 October 2010
The Moray task force meet the First Minister »20 October 2010
The Moray task force is set up»