Murdo Fraser

Scotland’s hills can accommodate walkers, climbers and rural industries if all parties show mutual respect. Murdo Fraser praises estates and gamekeepers for improving access, supporting wildfire response and sustaining remote communities through deer stalking and other country pursuits. He argues that restrictions on practices such as muirburn can increase fire risks, while walkers should avoid disrupting stalking during its peak season. He also disputes Ramblers Scotland’s claim that North Chesthill Estate has imposed a blanket access ban, stressing that Scotland’s legal framework provides a right of responsible access rather than an unrestricted right to roam.

Murdo Fraser argues that Scotland’s 48p top income-tax rate may have reduced revenue by about £22 million because taxpayers changed their behaviour, despite warnings from the Scottish Fiscal Commission. He says the Scottish Government failed to consult its Tax Advisory Group, which was later quietly disbanded. Fraser also criticizes Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy and proposed levies on cruise ships and private jets, claiming comparable charges have reduced tourism and tax receipts elsewhere. He concludes that SNP ministers are prioritizing virtue-signalling over economic growth and should seek expert advice before introducing further taxes.

The UK Government’s proposed ban on conversion therapy is criticised for lacking a solid evidence base, risking the criminalisation of parents, clinicians and religious figures, and potentially suppressing free speech on gender identity. Legal experts warn that the legislation could contradict human rights protections by penalising expressions of traditional religious or personal beliefs. Activist groups support the ban, while free-speech advocates and women’s groups oppose it, linking it to previous disputes over gender self-identification. With both Westminster and Holyrood considering action, significant political conflict is expected as concerns grow that the proposals may prove broadly unpopular.