Jamie Stone reacts to King's Speech

Following the King's Speech, which marks the start of the Parliamentary year by setting out the new Labour Government's priorities for the months ahead, Far North MP Jamie Stone has commented:

"Much of what I have heard today is a welcome change. The intentions set by the new Labour Government are headed in the right direction and I await with much anticipation to see how these policies come to fruition in real terms. 

"One thing that stands out to me is Great British Energy. Headquartered in Scotland, Labour intends to invest in energy production and storage, making use of existing offshore infrastructure and the skills in our workforce. With this in mind, I would strongly encourage the Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, to look at projects like the Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and I would invite him to come north as soon as possible to see for himself what is being done there. 

"To be successful in the bid to build the freeport was one thing, but to ensure that it thrives and that the hundreds of jobs promised come to fruition will require much support from Government, in both Edinburgh and London.

"The Highlands is the biggest generator of clean, green energy in Scotland, and yet we suffer from a lack of job opportunities and extortionate energy bills. A sensible Government would know that to address these problems can only be a good thing for the country's economy and energy security as a whole."