Jean Davis: Western Isles residents urged to sign rural fuel petition

7.17.00pm GMT Mon 15th Mar 2010

Liberal Democrat PPC Jean Davis today encouraged residents to sign George Lyon MEP's rural fuel petition.

In April 2009, the Scottish Parliament voted on a Liberal Democrat motion calling on the SNP Government to work with the UK Government and the European Commission to secure a fuel duty derogation for Scotland.

This would have provided the maximum fuel duty reduction allowed under EU law for people who live in remote rural areas and buy their fuel at local filling stations.

The only thing the SNP have done since that date is draw a map of rural fuel stations. Now there's a way to reduce the price at the pump!

Liberal Democrats believe that no one should be penalised by fuel prices just because they live in a rural community. More often than not there are simply no public transport alternatives to driving - it is a necessity, not a luxury.

Commenting, George Lyon MEP said:

"People in remote and rural areas of Scotland can pay as much as much as 13 and 14p more per litre than the national average. They are not getting a fair deal.

"The SNP has had months to work with UK and EU authorities to get a deal; drawing a picture is just not good enough.

"Labour are equally to blame. They are guilty of ignoring the interests of rural drivers, and they've been aided and abetted by the SNP.

"Their collective failure to secure a rural fuel derogation for Scotland shows once again they prefer words over action."

If you agree that rural drivers are not getting a fair deal from Governments north and south of the border then please sign our petition today."

Jean Davis said,

"George has demonstrated our commitment in the Liberal Democrats to tackling this vital issue for islanders here. His petition, 'Fighting For A Fair Deal For Rural Drivers' available on his website www.georgelyon.org.uk

"I have signed the petition and I would encourage all who agree that the current situation is unfair to do so too."