SKAT - Press Release 04 September 96

SKAT

Press Release 4 September 1996 As part of the Stirling initiative in Michael Forsyth's backyard, on Friday, August 30, SKAT did a survey in selected parliamentary wards. 100 people were interviewed at home. The results were encouraging for SKAT's campaign.

SKAT takes encouragement from the fact that:

79% of those asked said they were aware that a private company is collecting a toll on the Skye Bridge. However, only 12% were aware of the extortionate levels of those tolls.
52% were aware that there was only ONE year round vehicular route on and off the island to the mainland.
54% had heard that it was a criminal offence to refuse to pay the toll.

Initiative organiser, Andy Anderson said "These figures we found most encouraging since it proved that our campaign had brought the issue to the attention of people in the central belt of Scotland."

What did people think of Michael Forsyth and the deal that his government have contracted for Skye, Kyle & the Western Isles??

93% thought the tolls were UNREASONABLE
87% thought the tolls would DAMAGE the local Skye economy
23% said they would be LESS LIKELY to vote for the Conservatives because of the toll issue

Said Andy Anderson "When the people heard what the level of toll is AND that the government are using taxpayers' money to pay the ferry company CALMAC not to run the ferry they were incredulous. For Michael Forsyth who very shortly will be trying to defend a paltry 703 parliamentary majority, Skye has proven to be not far enough away to try out a punitive political funding experiment. SKAT's anti-toll campaign has caused a significant number of usual Tory voters in his constituency to be LESS LIKELY to vote Tory at the next election!"

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Most recent revision, 13 March 1998