Jamie Greene. Conservative candidate in the forthcoming Scottish Election has praised an "action plan" for rural Scotland as it was launched by his party saying it would "directly benefit farmers across Ayrshire, Arran, Cumbrae and the whole of the West of Scotland".
The document - 'Standing up for rural Scotland' - sets out a number of priorities for countryside communities and the economy. It was launched at an event in the Cairngorms last week as leader Ruth Davidson met business leaders from across the north of Scotland.
Commitments on farming, fishing, connectivity and local devolution are included. Among the pledges in the report, which will be part of the Scottish Conservatives' wider manifesto, are:
"An obligation to provide universal broadband by the end of the decade. Allowing communities to impose moratoriums on windfarm developments. Handing planning exemptions to retiring farmers who want to build a home on agricultural land. Helping fishermen comply with challenging new regulations. Increasing the number of National Parks across Scotland and providing more affordable rural homes. "
An independent inquiry into the CAP payments crisis would also be a priority for the party, after farmers were left hundreds of millions of pounds out of pocket after an IT system failure. Local Conservative Jamie Greene has previously been reported as being "very angry" at the continued delays to payments to farmers across the West of Scotland.
Jamie told the press "Rural Scotland is already just about the most beautiful place on earth but we need to make sure it has a better quality of life too. Pledges like accelerating rural broadband coverage, empowering communities over issues like local policing and windfarm development, and supporting affordable housing for young people will ensure that happens.
For too long the SNP government has been allowed to operate a Central Belt bias, and that has damaged our rural economy. It's time for that to change, and by launching this report, we have shown we are the only party absolutely committed to the wellbeing of rural Scotland. As I go about the next few weeks of my campaign I will be meeting more Ayrshire and Arran farmers to hear of their continued disappointment in the way the Scottish Government has treated them over the past few years. If elected, I will be a proud and strong proponent of our rural, farming and agricultural communities. It is one of my key pledges."