Author Archives: Carla Newton

East Lothian Courier – 22 February 2024

  

Over my lifetime great progress had been made in addressing pensioner poverty. It had never entirely gone away but it was vastly reduced from my childhood when looking after the pensioners was essential given the hardship so many faced.   But now pensioner poverty is coming back and with a vengeance. Of course, many of the “baby boomer” generation have done… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 15 February 2024

  

Housing’s an increasing concern. Not from the perspective of too many new builds in areas where public services are already struggling to cope, whether doctors, dentists or even just infrastructure. But from the point of view of it just not being available at all. East Lothian might not have the homelessness crisis seen on the streets of London, and which… Read more »

Ending the Love Affair – 15 February 2023

  

Rishi Sunak’s Belfast visit was underwhelming not just because he hasn’t grown into Prime Ministerial office. His trumpeting how good a deal Northern Ireland has with access to the single market and reduced Brexit frictions was all but lost. Overshadowed by global events and the momentous accession of a Nationalist First Minister. Unionists despondent and Republicans savouring the moment and… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 8 February 2024

  

Folk have been feeling the pressures of higher energy bills and colder weather. Damp and rain’s often harder to endure than freezing snow. Bills will be rising and yet there’s the issue of accumulated energy debt.   With the energy crisis having been upon us for several years now debt has mounted. OFGEM reckons that in the UK its nearing £3… Read more »

A Widening War – 8 February 2024

  

Watching the International Court of Justice judgement on Gaza I was filled with hope. It may have been more important in publicity terms than in immediate outcome. But it was a start. Genocide may not have been proven but a stateable case had been made. Surely Biden would call off Netanyahu’s dogs of war and Britain cease being supine? Instead,… Read more »

SCOTLAND’S REFINERY CANNOT CLOSE – 7 February 2024

  

MACASKILL CHALLENGES PRIME MINISTER TO SAVE GRANGEMOUTH AT A TIME OF GLOBAL ENERGY INSECURITY Alba Depute Leader Kenny MacAskill MP has today (Wednesday) challenged the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP to take urgent and decisive action to save Scotland’s only oil refinery at Grangemouth from closure and to work to secure the necessary investment which will save 500 direct jobs and 2,000 contractors jobs… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 1 February 2024

  

Last week in Westminster saw a debate on the Petroleum Licensing Bill which is political grandstanding. Yet fails to either address the climate crisis or the energy needs of the country. Indeed, the prelude to the debate was Storm Isha with trains cancelled and even a lorry overturned at Thorntonloch. I agree that we should continue to use oil from… Read more »

Covid Inquiry and Continuity SNP – 1 February 2024

  

History will mark the Covid Inquiry as when the House of Continuity SNP finally burnt down. Flames had been licking around its former proprietor Nicola Sturgeon, as police investigations and controversy gathered at the door. But all would be well, said the new owners, there’s still the legacy of how she handled Covid. For sure, it’ll remain the case that she… Read more »

Calling It Out – 25 January 2024

  

I asked the UK Government if it would back the case brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice by South Africa. Other countries have been expressing support but, more importantly, the tragedy in Gaza’s worsening. Some 25,000 are now reckoned to have died, 70 per cent women and kids, children are suffering amputations without anaesthesia, and there’s little sign of the situation… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 25 January 2024

  

There was no vote in Parliament for the airstrikes on the Houthi rebels in Yemen. That itself is wrong. The implications of military action are significant and should be debated and decided upon in Parliament, not carried out by executive fiat. As it was, the statement made by the Prime Minister was inadequate. He suggested there was no linkage between… Read more »