The calling of an election was both sudden and a surprise. The PMs chances seem as forlorn as his look when announcing it in the pouring rain. But it brings an end to my tenure, and I once again express my thanks for the privilege. This…
It’s been an honour and a privilege to represent East Lothian since 2019, however I will not be seeking re-election in the election now looming. It’s therefore appropriate that I express my gratitude for service and assistance given in…
Prison numbers are rising, staff are struggling to manage, and an early release scheme’s being brought in. Scotland isn’t alone as it’s mirrored down south. But Scotland was in a good place and a course laid by the Scottish Prisons…
Applications for renewable energy projects are flooding in across Scotland. Many are welcome, but many are not, whether in their location or their scale. What and where are now vital questions being asked in communities? More importantly…
The horror of Gaza continues unabated. Famine now afflicting the land along with disease and illness. Hunger there isn’t caused by any natural disaster but by the unremitting war being waged against civilians by Israel. Last week I heard…
I fully support the drive for renewables. The hottest April ever recorded in the northern hemisphere confirms our planet’s need, and our nation’s blessed with a natural bounty. My objection is not in principle but about consideration of…
Last week I wrote about the concerns I had for mounting energy debt which now stands at a collective £3.1billion. With two thirds of that there’s neither any arrangement to pay nor for much of little likelihood of it being paid, without…
It was a coronation not a challenge for John Swinney, thus avoiding what he’d previously faced when leading the SNP. But even though he won comfortably then and would have done so again, it’s indicative of a malaise surrounding him. For…
The level of energy debt now outstanding in Scotland and the UK is quite extraordinary. The collective sum amounting to a staggering £3.1 billion. Yes, billion not million. With folk wondering how they can pay their bills, we’ve now got…
The House of Sturgeon continued burning down and the flames have now consumed her successor. Sturgeon loyalists even fanning the fires around Humza Yousaf, deciding he was toast and manoeuvring to replace him even when he was still…
These are worrying times. The plight of Palestinians becomes more harrowing every day and now a wider conflict threatens. Similarly, in Ukraine the war wages on and the risks of it drawing in many more lands grows. De-escalation is…
The Victorians were good at strategic planning. When infrastructure was required for sewage or railways, direction was given as to where it was to go and, more importantly, where it shouldn’t. But what now with renewable energy? It’s as…
With Ofgem estimating debt energy levels of £3.1 billion Alba Depute Leader Kenny MacAskill MP will today (Tuesday) demand, in a Westminster Hall Debate that he will lead on Levels of household energy debt, that the UK Government introduce…
The Royal Mail Horizon scandal rumbles on. The hero of the whole tragedy, the sub-postmaster Alan Bates, was as impressive in real life as he had been portrayed in the TV drama. Quiet, unassuming yet steely determined. There has to be much…
“I’ve started, so I’ll finish” is Mastermind when the bell interrupts, allowing the contestant to try and gain an additional point. But for the SNP the phrase means ploughing on with unpopular legislation, whilst opinion polls keep…
Westminster may be in recess but sadly the world’s not at peace. It may be the time of the resurrection but there’s tragically no sign of even respite for the Palestinian people. New horrors are occurring daily in Gaza, with famine and…
Facts not fiction are important in aIl aspects of life and it’s certainly that way with the closure of Grangemouth Refinery. Listen to the UK Government, and it’s just a commercial decision. Something to be regretted but there’s nowt that…
In any industrial dispute or closure there’s a battle of the narrative waged between employers and employees seeking to get their side of the story out. It’s important as it sets the tone in the press but also for the public. Sometimes…
Having spoken in Parliament and written about the injustice suffered by women born in the 1950s and denied pensions, a Ministerial Statement last Monday offered hope. This was following the publication of an Ombudsman’s report confirming…
Hamish McBeth was a popular TV series with Robert Carlyle portraying the idyllic life of a Highland police officer. Yet for many cops in remote or island Scotland their lot’s not a happy one. For sure, they enjoy their job and are rightly…
Applications for onshore wind farms and other renewable energy projects have been causing concern in the county. It’s not simply the visual impact but both the construction phase and future operation have implications for traffic and other…
Increased disappointment with Holyrood is in some ways to be expected. A political malaise is afflicting most western democracies and Scotland’s not unique with its growing contempt for politics and politicians. But in Scotland where…
Last week Parliament provided an opportunity for MPs to express their anger with the delay in addressing the manifest pension injustice faced by many women born in the 1950s. There’s quite a few here in the county and many have been in…
We’re used to energy acronyms and initials in Scotland. Ofgem, SP and SSE are part of our lexicon. Now there’s two more. And they’re going to be significant, even controversial in parts. ESO is the Electricity System Operator, in fact it’s…
The budget dominated Westminster last week. As reported it was mostly about electioneering rather than addressing the needs of the economy or our society. Of course, as in all these major pronouncements there are aspects to welcome. One…
No matter how horrific you think Gaza is, the reality’s far worse as I discovered when attending a Parliamentary briefing from Medics and Aid workers back from there. Oral testimony’s more powerful than anything you view or read. The…
Parliament wasn’t as frenetic last week but Palestine was still to the fore. I attended a briefing from Medics and Aid Agencies back from there. Oral testimony is always powerful, much more than what we read or view. And so, it was here…
George Galloway’s Rochdale victory should be a wakeup call for the political elites. Not the rant against democracy voiced by the Prime Minister, happy to tolerate racism and Islamophobia in his own party yet branding peaceful…
I wasn’t due to be in Parliament last Wednesday. Though down the day before I’d intended to return after it for a longstanding commitment to a youth group. However, when the Gaza ceasefire debate was set for that day, I regrettably…