"Use your powers to tackle inequality" - Elgin cost of living protest organiser's message for area's parliamentarians
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"Use your respective powers to tackle inequality" was the message given by the organiser of Elgin's cost of living protest to Moray's parliamentarians.
David Blair, who organised Saturday's protest on the Plainstones, was pleased to see both Douglas Ross, Moray's Conservative MP, and Richard Lochhead, the area's SNP MSP, in attendance.
"It takes a lot of courage to attend a protest that you are the target of", he said, before pleading with the pair to take what they had heard from the hundreds protesting and relay it at Holyrood and Westminster.
Speaking afterwards, he said: "They need to use their respective powers to tackle inequality.
"Whether that is the UK Government dealing with tax havens and avoidance, or the Scottish Government dealing with the way wind rights are auctioned off.
"Both governments have an opportunity to deal with inequality and they have to use it."
The protest attracted a crowd into the hundreds, with several speeches from an array of people, including politicians and trade unionists, given to those watching on.
Calls were made for energy bills to be cut, local businesses to be supported, pay for workers to be increased, for an end to hunger and for a cap on profits for energy companies.
Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead described the speeches as "very moving" and said the Scottish Government "has committed to doing all it can".
“The organisers deserve a huge amount of credit for their efforts and I’m sure they were pleased to see such a good turnout," he said of the protest.
“I was glad I could attend and had the opportunity to listen to the very moving speeches, all of which highlighted the many pressures households in Moray are facing as the cost of living continues to rise.
“The Tory Government’s response to soaring costs has prioritised tax cuts for the rich and removing the cap on bankers bonuses over the interests of ordinary households who need support the most.
“The Scottish Government has committed to doing all it can with the powers it has and the money available in its fixed budget to help people through the weeks and months ahead, and the Deputy First Minister will be updating parliament soon.”
Douglas Ross said it was "right" that both himself and Mr Lochhead attended the gathering.
He pointed to energy bill cuts that Westminster has provided and it's now up to the SNP to "listen to the concerns raise and help".
“The cost of living crisis is at the forefront of everyone’s minds so I was keen to hear directly from local constituents about their concerns, alongside the inputs I've had through my local office.
“Organisers had made calls for both the Scottish and UK Government’s to act, so it was right both myself as MP and the local MSP were there to hear the strong messages to both governments.
“My focus remains on supporting Moray residents through the cost of living crisis and my office is always available to help.
“I welcome the support the UK Government has delivered in relation to energy bills and the onus is on Scottish Government ministers to listen to the concerns raised and fully use the significant powers at their disposal to help individuals, families and businesses across Moray."
