I just cannot understand how anyone who has tried to use the NHS dental practice in Grantown could ever consider voting for an SNP government that has failed miserably to produce a proper service.
The main responsibility that this devolved Scottish Government has is to run the NHS by whatever reasonable standards they have failed.
I have given up trying to get an appointment at Grantown because it is impossible and it does not reflect the excellent staff there but what can they do with only one part time dentist?
Twice now I have had to go to a private dentist for tooth extractions but only because I am privileged enough to be able to afford it.
If you’re not, I guess the Nats just want you to suffer through the pain!
I decided to spend some time calling around to see if I could find a dentist in the Highlands who would take me on as an NHS patient and eventually found that there was only one and that was in Inverness.
Unfortunately I was told I had to wait six months for an appointment.
The problem of the shortage of dentists could easily be solved tomorrow if the government insisted that since the state paid for the dentist’s training, they should then work for us for five years before moving into the private sector.
If you have bad teeth and are also hard of hearing, you’re out of luck with this government because as Strathy reported last week, you could be waiting up to two years for a hearing aid here in the Highlands.
These are not the only areas where this government has failed.
There is the scandal of the gigantic new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital which was opened too soon due to political pressure from the SNP and people have died as a result.
You might think the government would stand up and admit their mistake, but no, as with almost everything they just lie and hope that enough people will still believe that voting for an independent Scotland would solve all our problems.
So it’s surprising that the SNP don’t want to fight the upcoming election with their abysmal record in government, but ‘sack’ Kier Starmer and choose a fresh start with independence by voting SNP.”
Even that is a lie as Starmer is not on the ballot and neither is independence.
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The fishing season starts on the River Spey next week and everyone will be hoping for a better season than last year which produced the lowest catches since records began.
I don’t usually like to discuss politics when I’m fishing on the river but I don’t know any anglers who will vote SNP and for good reason.
The government has stood back and watched our once great salmon rivers decline, yet they continue to license open cage salmon farms that kill wild salmon, while allowing over-pumping that endangers the species.
Grantown once had literally thousands of fishermen who would stay in town for a season, but sadly no more. Why spend a week on the river just to catch a cold?
This absence of people directly affects the local economy and our high street suffers because with fewer visitors, less money is spent.
I recently joined the Spey Fishery Board and will do everything I can to fight for the future of wild salmon and fight against any politician from any party who doesn’t.
Charlie Whelan (Labour) is a former spokesman for Gordon Brown
