WITH the death of Michael Meacher we have lost a politician whose influence on environmental and social issues, over many decades, was of the highest order. Your obituary (The Herald, October 22) reflects very well his many achievements, including the securing of right to roam legislation in England and Wales soon after the Labour Government came to power in 1997. Mr Meacher's commitment to public access to the countryside was, however, also extremely influential north of the Border. It led directly to Donald Dewar deciding that right to roam legislation was also required in Scotland and it became an integral part of the arguments for the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. So, when we reflect on the success of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in delivering world-class rights of public access to most of our land and water, we should also raise a glass to Mr Meacher, the politician who led the way.
We need more politicians with his integrity, knowledge and commitment. Today, as the Scottish Government struggles to convince even its own SNP members that it knows where it is going with land reform, there is a need for reflection and reconsideration. It is depressing that the SNP Government, since it came to power in 2007, has done very little to convince all who enjoy outdoor recreation that it is going in the right direction.
It has failed to stop landowners building estate roads across our wildest hills; excessive populations of red deer still prevent the natural regeneration of most of our native woodlands; electrified deer fences block access, without any public consultation, and landowners demand byelaws to turn responsible citizens into criminals. A Michael Meacher in Holyrood would have stopped this nonsense, standing firm in support of right to roam, standing firm in support of right to roam and putting the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park's proposed camping byelaws into the nearest waste bin many months ago.
Dave Morris,
2 Bishop Terrace, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
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