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Press and Journal
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Exclusive: Huntly councillor becomes SIXTH Aberdeenshire Tory to join Reform
A Huntly councillor has become the SIXTH Tory in Aberdeenshire to join Reform as momentum continues to build for Nigel Farage's party. Lauren Knight became the latest Conservative in the north-east to make the switch just hours after leader Russell Findlay branded defectors 'opportunists'. Ms Knight said she believes the Conservative Party has 'left her' and she 'feels let down by so many broken promises'. 'I am honoured to have joined Reform UK', she exclusively told The Press and Journal. Ms Knight, who represents the Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford ward, previously battled Aberdeenshire Council over a deferral for her premature son starting school. Her son, Henry, was born three months early and spent five months fighting to survive in the neonatal unit while he was unable to breathe by himself. Ms Knight, who lives in Forgue, said: 'As the mother of a child with additional support needs, I have experienced firsthand the challenges families face when navigating a system that too often overlooks the most vulnerable.' Speaking to the P&J, the Aberdeenshire mum said local cuts to additional support needs services passed by the ruling Tory-led administration influenced her defection. Ms Knight felt she was unable to speak out against her own party on the topic. 'It wasn't an environment where you could have a voice,' she said. Ms Knight said she was 'sad' to leave behind some Tory colleagues, but said many of her allies were the councillors who had already left the party. She told the P&J: ' I realised of the people I aligned with and was friends with have all decided to move to Reform.' Her defection to Reform represents another blow for the Tories in a region where they are losing multiple councillors. Former Aberdeenshire council chief Mark Findlater and Mearns councillor Laurie Carnie became the first to join Reform in Scotland last year. Ellon councillor John Crawley and Dominic Lonchay, who represents East Garioch, later followed them over to Mr Farage's party. Robbie Withey, another councillor in Ms Knight's Huntly ward, continues to sit as an independent but has joined Reform. John Cox, a former SNP councillor, has also signed up to Reform UK – but also still sits as an independent. And Aberdeen councillor Duncan Massey announced his defection from the Tories last week when Mr Farage visited the city. The defection comes one day after Scottish Tory chief Mr Findlay exclusively told the P&J he 'despairs' at councillors leaving his party for Reform and believes they will later regret it. 'Some of them you know personally and you know their politics – you're left to conclude they're doing so because it's complete opportunism,' he said on our weekly politics podcast, The Stooshie. He added: 'A lot of our members are very angry at those who defect. 'Those who defect are only in the post they're in because of the fact they were wearing a Tory blue rosette. 'I just feel disappointed. I suspect what we'll see is some regret.' Reform councillor Thomas Kerr welcomed Ms Knight to the party. 'Lauren Knight brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to Reform UK,' he said. A Scottish Tory spokesperson said: 'Under Russell Findlay, we're reconnecting with common sense conservative values of enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law. 'Every poll shows that Reform will only help the SNP. 'As we saw in last year's general election, they handed several seats to the SNP which would have otherwise gone to a pro-UK party. 'Reform are likely to stand pro-independence candidates in the 2026 election and Nigel Farage has even said he's not worried about the SNP getting another five years in power.'
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
UK 'ready for war' with lasers, robots and AI multi-billion pound army overhaul
Defence Secretary John Healey said the new-look military will include an Army 'ten times more lethal than before' by combining 'drones, technology, autonomy and tanks' Britain has unveiled a 'warfighting readiness' multi-billion pound overhaul of its Armed Forces aimed at building a 'more lethal' military to prepare for war with greater use of artificial intelligence, robots and lasers. A small boost in troop numbers of 3,000 extra soldiers will increase UK forces for the first time in decades in a bid to stop the Tory-led hollowing out of the UK's defences. And Defence Secretary John Healey announced the new-look military will include an Army 'ten times more lethal than before' by combining 'drones, technology, autonomy and tanks.' A near year-long government imposed study of the UK military singles out Russia as the prime enemy with other hostile states China, Iran and North Korea increasingly becoming a threat. The Strategic Defence Review is, according to a senior defence source, 'the most profound change in our Armed Forces' in about 150 years. The source said it is the biggest shift in the UK military since the Franco Prussian war because of the rapid development in technology and artificial intelligence. And the insider added: 'This is the equivalent of the arrival of the submarine, aircraft, the telegraph, nuclear weapons - all arriving at once in the same taxi.' The Strategic Defence Review, published on Monday, recommends more troops, attack submarines, a badly-needed UK 1.5bn air defence system and a boost in cyber weaponry as well as the recommendation to embrace new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and lasers. Introducing the SDR Mr Healey pledged to this was the first defence reviews in a generation to expand the military with more troops and better armoured vehicles. He vowed it will make Britain safer. But the 140 page dossier lays into the state of our 'hollowed out' military which has been vastly under staffed, as the Mirror understands the army has fewer than 73,000 soldiers. The SDR took almost a year by former NATO chief Lord George Robertson, former US government adviser to Donald Trump Dr Fiona Hill and General Sir Richard Barrons. Britain's two £3.5bn aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will be transformed into 'hybrid air wings' launching war-jets, long-range weapons and drones. These will lead the UK's new 'hybrid navy' which will eventually have nuclear-armed Dreadnought and non-nuclear armed Aukus submarines but there will also be the introduction of 'autonomous vessels' or Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships which operate without humans. It also announces the building of Britain's 12 new SSN Aukus attack submarines to be ready in the 2030's, replacing the current Astute-class attack subs. The Aukus will be produced at the rate of one every 18 months. There will be a £6bn boost to missile production in six weapons factories throughout the UK, creating thousands of new jobs. This will produce 7,000 long-range weapons. The SDR says the MoD has presided over a crisis-hit military which is struggling to retain troops because of poor conditions and plummeting 'morale.' It says: 'Poor recruitment and retention, shoddy accommodation, falling morale and cultural challenges have created a workforce numbers of UK regulars and reservists have been in persistent shortfall impacts disproportionately on the skills most critical to UK advantage as it does for allies and partners.' Included within the SDR the RAF will be promised more F35 fighter jets, upgraded Typhoon warplanes and Britain's main warplane hub RAF Brize Norton is now 'a high priority for investment and improvement.' It also calls for a new £1bn investment into a homeland air and missile defence system, although this defence will be in the form of Type 45 destroyers and fighter jets. And troops housing and accommodation will receive a £7bn funding boost, including £1.5bn of 'rapid work' to 'fix the poor state of forces family housing.' There has also been a recommendation to embrace new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robots and lasers. The paper warned the UK must develop ways to defend against emerging threats, including biological weapons, warning of "pathogens and other weapons of mass destruction". But it also calls for Keir Starmer 's government to take on a bigger army whose numbers have dwindled to around 73,000 in recent years through poor retention and recruitment.. The SDR declares: 'Overall, we envisage an increase in the total number of regular personnel when funding allows. This includes a small uplift in Army Regulars as a priority.' Introducing the SDR Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'We will end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces and lead in a stronger, more lethal NATO. We will protect the homeland with up to £1bn new funding invested in homeland air and missile defence and creating a new CyberEm Command to defence Britain from daily attacks in the grey zone.' And it said that 'the number of Active Reserves' will be boosted by 20% and that more desk-working troops in 'back office functions' will be released to 'front line roles.' The government also hopes to massively improve recruitment by boosting the numbers of young people joining 'Cadet Forces.' The document recommends 'reconnecting defence with society.' And it adds: 'This can be achieved in part through expanding Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030- with an ambition to reach 250,000 in the longer term and working with the department of education to develop understanding of the Armed Forces among young people in schools.' On recruitment a senior source told the Mirror: 'Look, we had 160,000 people try to join the Army last year and we took on 9,000. We are not short of people wanting to join up.' The British Armed Forces became massively hollowed out after years of Tory-led cuts. Under Labour salaries for troops have been boosted by more than 30%. The source added: 'Under this new government no member of the Armed Forces will not earn less than the national living wage. That was not the case before the general election.' UK's new defence plan analysis by Chris Hughes This has been called the biggest change to UK defence in around 150 years - and on the face of it that could well be the case. That is if any of the much-vaunted changes actually come about and within the time it is being suggested they need to happen. Take the army numbers for instance. Many hoped these would be boosted from less than 73,000 as they currently stand. This is by no means intentional even though numbers were brutally cut over years of Tory rule. It is a result of poor recruitment and retention. There is only the possibility of a 'small uplift.' It says: 'Overall we envisage an increase in the total of Regular personnel when finding allows. This includes a small uplift in Army Regulars as a priority.' But there is mention of 'increasing the number of Active Reserves by 20% - when funding allows - most likely in the 2030s…' There is no promise to increase troop numbers and it merely means they might be increased if we can afford it if and when the need arises. The SDR - the most important one in decades - comes at a time of soaring hostility with Russia, whilst China, Iran and North Korea are also threats of varying degrees. And it promises a great deal whilst the big question is whether it will deliver too. One of the biggest problems for the UK in time of war would be air defences, how to shoot down incoming missiles. Currently, if it were large and fast incoming missiles this might be undertaken by one the UK's Type 45 destroyers, as a sea to air defence or F35B or Typhoon fighter jets as in air-to-air. Or the Army may use Sky Sabre, a lorry mounted air defence system which replaced Rapier. That system fires anti-air missiles. In his introduction Mr Healey clearly says: 'We will protect the UK homeland with up to £1bn new funding invested in homeland air and missile defence and creating a new CyberEM Command to defend Britain from daily attacks in the grey zone.' But it turns out this is not a shiny new air defence system such as Israel had, like the Iron Dome or David's Sling. It is merely a continuation of the Type 45 - fighter jet defences, just with better communication and integration. Like many reviews, the lack of granularity could make you suspect there's not much in it. The emphasis on AI, the risk of space wars, combating the threat from cyber assaults is all there and alarming and reassuring at the same time. It is reassuring the weapons production is being stepped up with six new missiles factories being created, boosting jobs and UK defences. But we don't know what they are, if they are new or what will fire them. The very fact this review happened is good and shows the government is getting things done on defence. But there will be huge trade-offs, perhaps with manning moving aside for new high-tech weaponry. Cost is going to be a huge issue and it remains to be seen if all of this can be afforded.
Press and Journal
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Exclusive: Aberdeen FC beach stadium talks back on track as Dons hit out at 'slap in the face' comments from councillor
Aberdeen FC and the council could be poised to launch 'more constructive and collaborative' talks about building a new seaside Dons stadium. It comes after planning vice-convener Martin Greig suggested the project 'is unlikely to happen', adding that the second phase of the beach revamp 'was all visionary'. The project – which was initiated by the previous Tory-led administration in 2021 – has been in stalemate for years as the council and the club fight over who needs to pay for it. It has attracted large support from fans, with chairman Dave Cormack arguing there would be no 'meaningful benefit' of the multi-million-pound beach upgrades without a new stadium there. But the tide appeared to change when the SNP and Lib Dems took over the council – with talks being pushed down the line over and over again. And with the Dons' historic win over Celtic last weekend, the club's chief executive Alan Burrows has now broken the silence on where they stand on the matter… In a letter to city chiefs seen by The Press and Journal, Mr Burrows says the suggestion that the project was 'only an idea' – especially after their win – is a 'slap in the face'. Thousands lined the streets donning their best red attire to celebrate the city's football club as the Hampden heroes waved at the crowds from an open-top bus. The proud winners made their way from Albyn Street to Marischal College to greet fans before celebrating with a civic reception at the Town House. And while Mr Burrows thanked the council for the organising the 'fantastic parade', he was taken aback to find their hopes for a new stadium dashed just days later. In his letter to city chiefs, he writes: 'Looking out from the Town House balcony at a sea of red was a magnificent sight and something only Aberdeen FC could have achieved. 'It was therefore disappointing to read in the press the next day that the stadium part of the beach regeneration was only a 'visionary' idea and unlikely to happen. 'Having invested considerable executive time over several years, working with the council to develop plans for an integrated leisure complex and community stadium, this felt like a slap in the face.' Mr Burrows is now urging the council to get round the table once again, however, this time for 'more constructive and collaborative' conversations. He argues this could be key to unlocking the second phase of the beach regeneration, hoped to draw more visitors to the city and boost traders. And to make his statement even stronger, he reiterated the millions of pounds the new complex is believed to plug into the local economy. An independent study, commissioned by the club and the council, suggested that building a seaside stadium would inject at least £1 billion into the city over 50 years. This is on top hundreds of jobs that will be created in the process of getting the complex up and running, and potentially attracting an extra 38 million of visitors to the area. 'There is no better time to build on the momentum and legacy of winning the Scottish Cup,' Mr Burrows adds. 'Rather than a new stadium at the beach being a political football, we'd welcome the opportunity to try to build consensus. 'Major projects can be achieved more effectively and more quickly when there is buy-in from all parties and a united approach to doing what's in the best interests of the city. 'But making this happen and raising the funding requires a shared ambition and political will.' Conservative leader Richard Brooks, who has been advocating for the plans from the start, has already agreed to join talks and help get the project off the ground. He said: 'The club look on board to meet with councillors, to iron out any issues and to work together to move on a new stadium as part of the Beach Masterplan forward' 'This is the sort of footfall our beleaguered city yearns for, so now seems an excellent time to 'literally' build on the Aberdeen Football Club's Scottish Cup success' Earlier this week, council co-leader Christian Allard said he was 'always willing to engage and work cross party'. And last night a spokesperson for the SNP and Lib Dem administration appeared to open the door for a fresh round of discussion. They said: 'Co-leaders will be delighted to meet Mr Burrows at Pittodrie to discuss plans for a new stadium.' Read more:
Press and Journal
27-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
New Dons stadium 'might never happen' as leading councillor says beach vision was 'only an idea'
A leading council planning boss says further work to boost Aberdeen Beach – which include a seaside Dons stadium – is unlikely to ever make it off the drawing board. Lib Dem councillor Martin Greig recently cast fresh doubts over the second phase of the multi-million-pound beach revamp, insisting the plans 'were all visionary'. The whole beachfront scheme – including the potential new Aberdeen FC stadium – could cost £441 million. It comes after the Dons scooped a phenomenal win for the city at the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, proudly raising the trophy for the first time in 35 years. Works on the first part of the beach project are already under way, with a huge new playpark starting to take shape and upgrades at Broadhill planned to be done by July. An events field, an amphitheatre, new canopies and an eye-catching gateway building will also be created as part of the £50m transformation. Meanwhile, the seaside stadium and a new pier overlooking the North Sea were supposed to be erected as part of the second phase of the project. But council chiefs last year decided to put the proposals on hold until they find extra cash to pay for the pricey upgrades. And now Mr Greig seems confident these have been taken off the table entirely. The council has several regeneration projects on the go – including the new market on The Green, the first phase of the beach revamp and Union Street central upgrades. The latter, as well as works to turn Queen Street into an urban park, have been delayed due to a series of issues. And with improvements at Castlegate also imminent, Mr Greig was recently grilled over the council's prospects of getting all of these over the line on time and within budget. He was confident about the progress with the Flint market, however, seemed rather puzzled when the second phase of the beach revamp was brought up. Following some further clarification on the proposed further stages of the project, he quickly snapped back: 'Oh, that's all visionary though.' He added: 'There were no firm decisions made about those [plans]. 'It was appropriate to be visionary in imagining how we can improve the beachfront, and encouraging to see inventive solutions to make it more interesting and more varied. 'Clearly, the council has not proceeded with everything that was on the list.' Asked to clarify whether that means the revamp of the promenade and the new stadium might never happen, Mr Greig grinned with an affirmative 'Yeah…yeah…' He added: 'There has been a series of visionary proposals for the beachfront over the last few decades – piers, buildings… 'So, there is a history of planning – and not action-ing.' It comes as the stadium project remains at a stalemate over funding. The tussle centres around who should pay for further studies into the scheme. Aberdeen FC initially agreed to look into replacing Pittodrie with a new ground at the beach when the previous Tory-led administration approached the club about ditching its plans to move to Kingsford. Studies suggested that building a seaside stadium instead would boost the local economy by £1 billion over 50 years. And chairman Dave Cormack argued there would be no 'meaningful benefit' attached to the major beachfront upgrades without the stadium as part of the project. But the tide appeared to change when the SNP and Lib Dems took over the council. And although finance chiefs have insisted the plans are still a possibility, Mr Greig's latest remarks will further dash the hopes of fans who want to see the new beach stadium become a reality. Thousands of supporters lined the city streets this weekend to celebrate their football club's historic win at the Scottish Cup finals. And Mr Cormack thinks this shows how many back the Dons and the new stadium idea. Speaking to Original 106 during the celebrations, Mr Cormack said 'they [the club] will be patient with that'. He added: 'Aberdeen needs capital investment – particularly around the beach – and a community stadium would serve the city well.' Council co-leader Christian Allard neither confirmed nor denied whether the second phase of the beach project will ever come to fruition. He stressed that the esplanade will undergo some work, but this will focus on dealing with erosion issues. And he suggested that whether the plans will ever go any further than that would depend on how much money and time they have. 'It's not only the financial situation, it's also the capacity of what we can do in one term,' Mr Allard added. 'It's good to be ambitious but you've got to make sure that what you start, you can finish. 'The biggest issue with the beach is the erosion and that needs to be done. 'That [second phase of the revamp] was the plan before the economic changes world-wide and UK-wide. Now we will have to review those and see what needs to be done.' You can rad more on what exactly the second phase of the beach revamp was planned to involve here.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform council leader defends by-election cost
The Reform UK leader of a council has accused other political parties of hypocrisy over their reaction to the cost of a by-election, after one of his councillors resigned. Wayne Titley won the Eccleshall and Gnosall ward for Reform earlier in May but faced criticism over a social media post around immigration and stepped down. His resignation means a by-election at an estimated £27,000 cost and the Conservative leader on the council called it a "waste of money". But Ian Cooper, for Reform, said he would not "take any lectures from the other parties". "If you look at Staffordshire alone, Conservative MP Chris Pincher stood down, if you look at the figures, parliamentary by-elections cost in the region of £250,000," he added. "You always get people that drop out, Mr Titley decided to drop out, we move forward." But Conservative group leader Philip White described the resignation as shocking. "I asked the leader of the council to apologise for that, for the waste of money, £27,000 we're told and for putting the people of Eccleshall and Gnosall through an unnecessary by-election process," he said. "He refused to apologise." Thursday saw the first meeting of the new county council since the election. Questions at the gathering from opposition councillors, about issues such as special needs provision, highways and budgets, were met with the same line of response from Reform UK cabinet members. They said they would wait to "mark the homework" of the previous Tory-led administration before responding. Cooper added that he would like to repeat that council work had only just started for the newly elected Reform members. "There is a settling in period, steep learning curve for everyone involved," he said. "In the background we've got things going on. We have a forward plan to think about". Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Reform councillor quits two weeks after election Reform wins control of Staffordshire County Council
