Local Issues

Torcuil Crichton MP on a visit to Stornoway Primary last year. Thanks to schools in the constituency who wrote in, the UK Parliament has made some changes to its Educational Visit booking system. Island schools let me know of their difficulties in booking an educational visit to the UK Parliament. They cited issues with the booking system, where slots were all filled within minutes of visiting the Parliament Educational Visit website, the short lead time between booking a vis

I have renewed calls for Bank of Scotland to pause plans to close its Balivanich branch after a new survey reveals the importance of cash to the Highlands and Islands economy. This comes in the wake of new research published in the Herald, showing that fewer than 5% of people living in the Highlands and Islands support a cashless society. Commenting on the poll, I said: These findings echo my own views and those of my constituents: our local community needs access to

I have called for a pause in all bank closures until a government review of banking services is complete. I urged members of the community to make their voices heard in defence of island services as the Access to Banking Review opens for evidence this week. The Labour Government’s Review came about after rural MPs highlighted a series of banking closures, including the proposed withdrawal of the Bank of Scotland in Benbecula. The Review is examining the impact of change

Until now I have hesitated to comment on what its own organisers pronounce as the campaign to “Abolish the Goo-ga Hunt”. It struck me as another one of these boring examples of attention-seeking behaviour, enabled by social media and fuelled by a lack of real purpose in life. The “Goo-ga” campaign does fall into the virtue-signalling camp of activism and to prove their commitment someone undertook a sweat-drenched election campaign in a penguin suit (he didn’t look anything l

Almost half of homes in the Western Isles rely on heating oil. There’s uncertainty over prices and supply and to get a picture we can present to Ministers the Labour Rural Research Group, basically backbench Labour MPs with rural seats, is undertaking a national survey. This survey will run for one week, and will be provided to Government w/c 15th March 2026. If you are a household or business with an oil tank or LPG let us know your experience. We need your postcode to give

This week, I have written to NHS Western Isles to highlight the additional financial burden faced by patients travelling to off-island medical appointments. “This is an issue I have raised repeatedly since taking office. Scottish Government tells me the rates of travel reimbursement sit with NHS Western Isles; NHS Western Isles assure me the issue rests with Scottish Government". “Enough is enough. It’s time we end this circle of blame.” In my letter to health board chief exe

I raised with UK Government Ministers the challenges facing the Western Isles fishing industry. Speaking in a debate on Support for the Fishing Industry I highlighted the devastating impact of new visa rules on crewing, problems with marine fuel supplies in the islands and fears that the SNP Scottish Government wish to revisit the introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). Speaking in the Commons I said: "It is understood the Scottish Government will be consul

On Saturday 25th November 2025, I hosted a Community Hall Forum in Laxdale Hall bringing together halls from across Lewis and Harris. I invited speakers from a number of organisations that offer support and advice to speak to community hall representatives about what they can offer. Speakers included Community Energy Scotland, Community Learning & Development (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar), Outer Hebrides Community-Led Local Development Programme with the Local Action Group and

£1200 has been raised for Western Isles Women’s Aid at our Christmas fundraiser at Lews Castle. Women’s Aid provides vital refuge and advocacy services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse across the islands. The Songs for the Season in the Castle courtyard featured performances from Lewis musicians Colin Macleod and Scott C Park, and brought together local supporters to back an organisation that provides life-saving help, safe accommodation and specialist supp

While in Harris last month, I popped in to the Harris Voluntary Service in Tarbert and had a great chat with Louisa Macdougall, the editor of the Harris local news paper, Dè tha Dol. You can either click here or see below for the write up of our chat where we discussed, among other things, the Bays of Harris visit, my journey to be an MP...and importantly how I take my tea. To subscribe to the Dè tha Dol to receive the next issue and keep up to date with events in Harris, you

Our campaign to save the main Stornoway Post Office is gathering momentum. Thank you to the hundreds of islanders who signed our petition - your support is powering our calls to retain this vital local service. There is a unique island case to maintain our chief Post Office. I've raised this matter repeatedly in Parliament and have met with Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas MP to press our case. Encouragingly, the minister has been open to exploring all options to protect th

Haemochromatosis is a long word for too much iron in the blood. It's an inherited genetic condition, a disorder often known as the Celtic curse, because it is particularly prevalent in Celtic bloodlines and is common in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Once spotted, Haemochromatosis [HCT] is easily treated by venesection—another long word—which simply means bloodletting. About 450 ml of blood is taken off the patient at each session to chase down the iron levels in th

Here are a few of the constituency campaigns I've undertaken since being elected in 2024. I’ve spoken out on the ferry crisis in Uist and continue pressing for compensation for island businesses: MP in plea for Barra public services support I have co-ordinated meetings on the lack of school and hospital building programme in Barra, and took Scottish Labours’ Jackie Baillie to the islands to hear directly about health concerns. I’ve successfully lobbied to ensure Coastguard h

Over 150 jobs and apprenticeships at the Arnish fabrication yard were secured in December 2024 when the UK Labour government negotiated the takeover of Harland & Wolff by Navantia. Jonathan Reynolds MP, the UK Trade Secretary, visited the site with me during the election campaign. Having a Labour MP connected directly to a Labour Minister made a huge difference to the outcome. Read more here: Spanish shipbuilder Navantia completes Arnish yard takeover and on my Facebook, here

Stornoway Post Office is under threat of closure in a hit-list of 115 Crown Offices announced by the Post Office. The loss of the main Post Office in Stornoway would be a huge blow to town and the island. I created a petition which in August 2025 had received 677 signatures. The text reads as follows: We, the undersigned, are committed to the retention of a Crown Post Office in its current location on Francis Street, Stornoway; call on the Post Office to enter into meaningf