The snap general election called by Theresa May this time last year caused a seismic shift across the country but especially in north-east Scotland.
Big beasts Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson lost their seats as a swathe of the SNP’s yellow heartland turned Tory blue – pushing the Scottish Conservatives to their best result in more than 30 years.
The electoral drama has certainly generated a lot of heat at Westminster, with the Conservatives and SNP regularly barracking each other across the chamber, but has that translated into a better deal for voters one year on?
The pressure is on the new Tories, as the party in government, to prove they can make a difference on the issues that matter to their constituents.
Chancellor Philip Hammond’s autumn statement gave the 12 new Scottish Conservatives their first tangible achievements, as he announced tax cuts for oil and a freeze on whisky duty.
But Brexit continues to be a major headache for the north-east MPs, with the first announcement on fisheries widely regarded as a failure as fishermen will continue to be bound by the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and its quotas during the transition period.
MPs from all parties are continuing to highlight immigration issues, including soft fruit rotting in fields and boats remaining tied up at the harbour, due to hostile environment policies and Brexit uncertainty.
The Press and Journal “Save Our Banks” campaign against the closure of more than 60 Scottish branches won cross-party support from every MP on the Scottish affairs committee, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
A glimmer of hope has come from 10 branches being given a temporary reprieve from closure but the prime minister has repeatedly refused to step in to halt the closure programme, leaving her Scottish backbenchers fuming.
The problems of patchy broadband are particularly acute in the Highlands and, with responsibility split between Holyrood and Westminster but communities still complaining they cannot get coverage, neither the SNP nor the Tories can claim victory.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Liberal Democrats are still struggling to make their arguments heard on why the UK should stay in the single market and the customs union and soften the current push for a hard Brexit.
However, Lib Dems have seen success on local issues, included winning an islands strike price for renewable energy, as well as a reprieve for Lerwick Power Station by persuading the energy regulator Ofgem to abandon plans to replace it with a subsea cable.
And the possibility of a major Treasury concession over higher reimbursement for volunteer hospital drivers will reduce the financial burden placed on people helping others to and from hospital.
Without an MP in the north-east or far north, Scottish Labour’s voice has been muted on local issues but contributions on the national stage, including support for the Save Our Banks campaign, have made an impact on communities across the region.
Staunch defence for the Good Friday Agreement and for the UK Government to respect the devolution settlement after Brexit has reflected well on the party, but a greater focus needs to be applied to opposing a damaging Brexit to respect the wishes of Scottish Labour voters.
Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman
“The SNP has led the campaign to stop the damaging RBS branch closures, which have hit rural communities and businesses in particular.
“It is SNP MPs who have consistently raised the issues of the unfair hostile environment policy of the Tories – hitting so many sectors of the Scottish economy and so many local businesses.
“We’ve held Westminster to account every step of the way on their disastrous plans to damage Scotland’s economy by taking us out of the EU, the single market and the customs union.
“In contrast, the Tories are travelling back in time, cutting spending, cutting public services and cutting-off our relationship with Europe to appease the right wing Brexiteers, while Labour is making the wrong choices, offering nothing for Scotland, bridled by their own disarray and completely lacking in leadership.”
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie
“We said during the election campaign that we would be a strong voice for people in the north-east and that is exactly what we have been.
“The Conservatives have delivered for our key industries, particularly whisky, farming and North Sea oil and gas.
“We have lifted the VAT burden on our police and fire services, kept broadband at the top of the political agenda and helped secure new investment in our armed forces.
“These past 12 months have been a great start, but it is only a start.
“We know there is much more to do and our pledge is that we will redouble our efforts over the coming years.
“While the SNP focus on a second referendum that nobody wants, we will get on with the job of delivering for the people of the north-east and for the people of Scotland.”
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael
“My priority over the last year has been to keep the interests of our vital local industries – especially farming, crofting and fishing – on the government agenda as the Brexit story has unfolded.
“When the Conservatives went back on their plans to leave the Common Fisheries Policy next year I led the charge in the Commons demanding an explanation.
“The refusal of Theresa May’s government to keep us in the single market and the customs union after we leave the EU is short-sighted and could be catastrophic for our local economy in the Isles.
“It still poses a threat to peace in Northern Ireland.
“For the next year we shall continue to fight for the interests of local people and industries in the Isles – especially as the Brexit deal emerges.”
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Deputy Leader of Scottish Labour and MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Lesley Laird
“Labour has challenged the Government’s bungled Brexit strategy at every turn and secured a meaningful vote on the terms of the deal negotiated by ministers.
“We have set out the six tests which Labour will judge that deal on, including a resolution to issues around a Customs Union and the Northern Ireland border issue.
“Meanwhile, we have been the only party taking a constructive approach to breaking the deadlock on protecting the devolution settlement.
“Next week we will again offer an amendment which does just that. This issue has been used as a political football by Scottish nationalists on one side and British nationalists on the other.
“Frankly, someone has to take a grown-up approach and Labour has risen to that challenge.
“On the issue of bank closures, while MPs from other parties have indulged in publicity stunts I, along with our three members on the Scottish Affairs Select Committee, have engaged constructively but robustly with bank executives to secure important concessions.
“That work continued this week with the publication of the committee’s report. Looking ahead we will be making sure RBS sticks to its side of the bargain.”
Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Deputy Leader of Scottish Labour and MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Lesley Laird
