more … ]]> Sir Menzies Campbell MP has expressed his “huge disappointment” that the “committed and passionate” campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars was unsuccessful.

Sir Menzies said:

“The decision to close RAF Leuchars is a bitter blow for the local community which has, for almost a year, fought a committed and passionate campaign to keep this airbase open. I am hugely disappointed at this decision and still believe that the strategic case for its retention is overwhelming. There has not been a single argument, to my knowledge, that has ever contradicted this.

“The RAF has been in Leuchars for nearly a century. Over that time the military personnel stationed at Leuchars have been taken into the hearts of the people of Fife and become much valued members of our community. We are very proud of the airmen and women stationed here. The bravery and professionalism they have shown in conflicts stretching from the Falklands to Afghanistan has been exemplary. And, for their part, the Leuchars personnel have donated their time and energy to making Fife a better place for everyone to live.

“RAF Leuchars was never meant to close. It was not included in last October’s Strategic Defence Review and I understood that its future was secure. It was only later that it was dragged onto a list of bases being considered for closure, despite the best efforts of the RAF themselves.

“The day after the first media report highlighting a risk to the base was published we mobilised our campaign for retention. We set up a campaign website to attract online petition signatures and we went door to door, through the snow, collecting physical signatures. The box of many thousands of names with which we travelled to London to present to Number 10 Downing Street was described as “impressive document” by the Ministry of Defence and there is no doubt that they understood the strength of feeling locally.

“People from all walks of life have come together to fight to keep the base open. Teachers highlighted the benefits of the base on local services, business pointed out the millions that flowed into the community because of the base and I led politicians of all parties on the floor of the House of Commons in making the strategic defence case for the retention of the base.

“I am steadfast in my view that the decision to close RAF Leuchars has been made for the wrong reasons. This base is best placed to protect the skies above Glasgow and Edinburgh, to patrol important installations like Faslane and Torness, and to answer the call should the need arise to protect the population throughout the UK from a terrorist attack from the air in a manner synonymous with the events in the USA on September 11th 2001. Its closure will have a profound effect on the ability of the Government to protect its citizens.

“The Government has said that the army will instead be based at Leuchars. Our task now is to ensure they live up to that promise and we will be fighting tooth and nail for the cast iron commitment that is required to safeguard the prosperity of the local community.”

ENDS

more … ]]> North East Fife’s Member of Parliament Sir Menzies Campbell has described the decision announced by the Defence Secretary not to retain RAF Leuchars as “fundamentally wrong, strategically inept, and likely to increase the risk to our citizens”.

Speaking during the statement by the Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox on Defence Transformation, the Liberal Democrat MP also questioned whether the decision was taken against the advice of senior RAF commanders.

Sir Menzies said:

“I cannot support the decision not to retain Leuchars in my constituency as an RAF base because I believe it to be fundamentally wrong, strategically inept, and likely to increase the risk to our citizens.

“Can he confirm that his decision to discontinue Royal Air Force use at Leuchars was taken against the advice of senior commanders of the RAF?

“Finally, the proposals for use of Leuchars by Army lack dates, detail and substance. What cast iron guarantee can he give that these promises will be kept and the money for them found?”

more … ]]> North East Fife’s MP has expressed his “profound disappointment” at the news that Forth Coastguard in his constituency is set to close.

The announcement by the Transport Secretary Phillip Hammond in the House of Commons, despite vigorous representations by Sir Menzies Campbell, saw no reprieve for the station based at Fife Ness near Crail. If the proposals go ahead, the stations is set to close at some point between 2012 and 2015.

Speaking during the announcement at Westminster, Sir Menzies said:

“The Secretary of State predicted disappointment and with that at least, I can agree with him. The proposed closure of Forth Coastguard in my constituency will be a cause of profound disappointment, not least because of the unsatisfactory nature of the public meeting held by the agency in Anstruther in February.

“Is the Secretary of State aware that Aberdeen, which he proposes to keep, is, excluding staff costs, the most expensive station in the United Kingdom? While Forth, in my constituency, has the lowest running costs in the country.

“Is he aware that in 2010, 40% of the Lifeboat launches in Scotland took place within Forth’s area of responsibility?

“Forth gives value for money and is increasingly busy due to increasing volume of both recreational and commercial traffic. How can Forth possibly be a candidate for closure?”

Speaking after the statement in the House of Commons, Sir Menzies said:

“The Transport Secretary invited me to meet him to discuss the proposal for the Forth Station and I shall do so as soon as convenient.”

ENDS

more … ]]> In a special article, MP Sir Menzies Campbell tells The Courier why the UK Government should keep RAF Leuchars open.

Sometime this week it will be D-Day for RAF Leuchars.

Ever since Leuchars was unexpectedly included in the discussions about the future of the RAF bases in Scotland there has been a powerful and persuasive campaign for its retention.

Particular tribute must be paid to the local community, which has argued its case with good judgment and great energy. By this time next week we shall know if it has been successful. It most certainly should be because the case for retention is overwhelming.

All the indications are that the RAF, at every level, support retention because it recognises that Leuchars is in the right place at the right time, doing the right job, and should be allowed to continue doing so.

What is that job? It is to protect the people of the northern half of the United Kingdom from any danger from the air. It does so by maintaining aircraft ready at any time of the day or night to repel intruders into UK airspace and to protect us all from terrorist attacks.

Already 6 Squadron, equipped with Typhoon jets, is operating from Leuchars with professionalism and distinction. Millions have been spent in providing the necessary facilities, including the resurfacing of the runway.

Moving the Typhoon from Leuchars will impact not only on RAF personnel but their families as well. There are private sector contracts based in Fife that are essential to the Typhoon. They cannot be compelled to move.

Aircraft at Leuchars, in addition to protecting the population, are able to do the same for sensitive installations in Scotland such as Torness nuclear power station, the oil and gas operations at Grangemouth, and the nuclear submarine base at Faslane.

They are easily able to support operations elsewhere in the UK.

The strategic argument for Leuchars as a base to defend our air space is unchallengeable and no one has ever tried to do so.

Alternative use for Leuchars as a large army base does not stack up. It does not have easy access to necessary training areas and is relatively small.

The road network which surrounds it is inadequate and would require substantial investment and expansion.

Leuchars fits well not only with the local community but with nearby St Andrews. Large scale army deployment would turn St Andrews into a garrison town for which it is ill suited.

The first responsibility of any government is the proper protection of its citizens.

Typhoons are already keeping guard over the population of the northern part of the UK with the same professionalism and commitment that we have come to expect from the RAF.

The convenience of the army as it contemplates the return of so many troops from Germany or the understandable anxiety about the impact of other base closures elsewhere should not be used as a justification for meddling with the established and effective pattern of air defence in the UK.

If it isn’t broken why should we fix it?

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As the campaign to save RAF Leuchars nears its conclusion, Sir Menzies Campbell MP is “reassured” that the case for the retention of the base in his North East Fife constituency is being well considered by those at the heart of government.

David Cameron has written to Sir Menzies acknowledging the “succinct summary of a case for RAF Leuchars” made by the North East Fife MP recently to the Prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Secretary and Scottish Secretary.

In his letter, the Prime Minster said that, “it is not difficult to appreciate why the future of the base is a matter of real concern to you and your constituents. The association between Fife and RAF Leuchars is a longstanding one, and the people of Fife have supported the service people and their families based there over the course of many years. I know this support continues to be appreciated by all who are based there now.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the basing review is a complex piece of work and that is will conclude as swiftly as possible.

Mr Cameron added, “I hope that this response is helpful and reassures you that the points you have made are being taken into account. I am impressed by the remarkable level of support and affection felt by the local community towards the RAF in Fife, and I am grateful to you and those in the community for your constructive engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the Scotland Office and HM Treasury.”

Commenting on the letter, Sir Menzies said:

“The Prime Minister’s response to my letter setting out the defence case for RAF Leuchars is reassuring in that he clearly understands the points raised and also appreciates the level of concern surrounding the future of the base.

“The defence case for the base’s retention is overwhelming and I have yet to hear any argument to the contrary. RAF Leuchars has executed its Quick Reaction Alert responsibilities in an exemplary manner and is uniquely located to deter and defend against terrorist threats to “Tier One” risk installations. Nearly £50 million has been spent on upgrading it to a first class Eurofighter Typhoon operating base and it contributes more than £60 million a year into the local economy.

“Its loss would be detrimental to the defence of the UK and to the many communities with which it is interwoven. This is the message I have taken right to the heart of government on many occasions. Leuchars must be retained.”

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Figures released to North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell show that nearly £3million has been spent by the Ministry of Defence on Typhoon infrastructure at RAF Leuchars in the last seven months despite the base being threatened with closure.

The UK Government has confirmed that it spent £2.9million on redevelopment projects at RAF Leuchars since 1 November 2010.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“These figures show that despite having the threat of closure hanging over it work at the base is very much continuing as normal.

“It has already been demonstrated beyond doubt that RAF Leuchars is in the ideal geographical position to fulfil its duty of policing and protecting northern British airspace. The significant investment which continues to be made in the base will ensure that it is perfectly equipped for this role. If the Government agrees with me that RAF Leuchars is in the right place, at the right time and doing the right job it needs to put its mouth where its money is and confirm that the RAF will stay in Fife.”

more … ]]> The strategic location of RAF Leuchars is vital in defending the UK’s airspace from attack and, in the event of an emergency, can be overhead “Tier One” risk targets such as Torness nuclear power station and Faslane nuclear submarine base in just a few minutes.

This is the message which North East Fife’s MP Sir Menzies Campbell has hammered home in a letter to the Defence Secretary Liam Fox.

As an announcement about the future of the Fife base draws closer, Sir Menzies has been taking every opportunity to make the case for its retention right to the heart of government.

In his letter Sir Menzies said:

“The strategic defence case for RAF Leuchars is overwhelming. Its proximity to more than 4 million people in Scotland and to highly sensitive installations such as Torness nuclear power station, Faslane nuclear submarine base and Grangemouth oil refinery is significant as it means fighter aircraft scrambled in the event of an emergency can be overhead and engaged with any target in a matter of a few minutes.

RAF Leuchars is within 80 miles of 80% of the Scottish population and minutes from sensitive "Tier One" risk targets.

“The National Security Strategy clearly states that the threat of an international terrorist attack on the UK is at the top of the identified risks. The Home Office has concluded that an attack is “highly likely”. The role of RAF Leuchars has therefore never been so important.

“Aircraft from RAF Leuchars have successfully intercepted Russian aircraft probing our air defences on more than 50 occasions since 2005. Leuchars is also capable of intercepting non-military aircraft, whether hijacked or not, which may pose a more immediate threat.

“Leuchars is not only uniquely situated, it acts as a deterrent due to its location. Its flying and weather conditions are optimal for operations and together with the exemplary professionalism of the base personnel make it the ideal for the deployment of QRA.

“It is in the right place, at the right time, doing the right job. The reasons for providing air defence for the northern half of the United Kingdom are the same today as they were when it was first given this role. Closure would increase the risk to our citizens.”

more … ]]> Reports that a review of Government plans to restructure the Coastguard service may be underway have been welcomed by Sir Menzies Campbell MP.

Sir Menzies, whose North East Fife constituency is home to under-threat Forth Coastguard, said:

“If these reports are true then they would represent a victory for common sense and the campaign for retention of as much of the existing coastguard network as possible.

“I have spoken in a debate in the House of Commons when the Government’s proposals did not have a single friend apart from the Minister seeking to justify them. The proposals simply didn’t take account of local knowledge, the productive relationships between the Coastguard and other emergency services and the increased volume of nautical traffic.”

more … ]]> News that St Andrews will host the Olympic torch on its relay around the United Kingdom has been revealed by North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell.

Sir Menzies, a former Olympic athlete himself and now a member of the Olympic Board, has been campaigning for St Andrews’ inclusion for over a year.

Ming ran the 200m for the GB team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and became captain of the UK Athletics Team 1965-66. He held the British 100m record from 1967 to 1974.

Sir Menzies said:

“I am delighted at the prospect of the Olympic Torch visiting St Andrews along with other famous sporting venues.

“Although the detailed route will be announced later in the year the news that St Andrews is to be included will be warmly welcomed.

“The sight of the torch going along the West Sands where the iconic opening scenes from the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ were shot will make a wonderful backdrop for the torch relay.

“Where better to bring the torch than the home of golf, which is to be included in the Olympics for the first time in 2016.”

more … ]]> Senior Liberal Democrat MP Sir Menzies Campbell has dismissed the latest bout of “speculation” about the future of RAF Leuchars in his North East Fife constituency and has been assured by Ministers that no decision is imminent.

Sir Menzies said:

“The debate about RAF Leuchars has been characterised too often by speculation which has subsequently proved to be totally without foundation.

“I have spoken to Ministers in the relevant departments. I have been assured that no announcement is imminent and that when it is made the decision will be by Ministers alone and not officials in the Ministry of Defence or senior military commanders.

“Rumours of this kind will not deflect in any way the continuing campaign for the retention of RAF Leuchars.”