Author Archives: Carla Newton

Shipyards – Scotsman Article – 25 November 2021

  

I’m usually very keen to laud job creation, especially in areas are scarred by unemployment. But the welcoming of the ship breaking yard at Inverclyde drydock causes me huge concern. The fawning sycophancy of some local politicians’ beggar’s belief. Of course, the area’s crying out for investment and work, but this is damaging to prospects for shipbuilding on the Lower… Read more »

Prison Policy – Scotsman Article – 25 November 2021

  

I doubt it crossed Douglas Ross’s mind when visiting the Drug Recovery Centre with the First Minister this week, that he was meeting the same people he’s been demanding locked up more often and for longer. Challenging wicked and depraved criminal’s re-offending’s one thing, vacuous chants of “soft touch justice” quite another. These aren’t heinous criminals, and the solution isn’t… Read more »

MACASKILL QUIZZES PRESIDING OFFICER OVER DRACONIAN PROTEST POWERS

  

THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT MUST “COME CLEAN” OVER JUSTIFICATION FOR NEW LAW  ALBA Party Depute Leader Kenny MacAskill MP has sent a further letter to the Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP challenging the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) to publish the justification for the introduction of new powers contained in The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (Designated Scottish Sites under Section 129) Order… Read more »

Labour Lacking – Scotsman Article – 18 November 2021

  

Labour’s ahead in the polls and perhaps more significantly there’s a pattern to them – Johnson’s unpopularity. But how much will that help Labour? There’s certainly merit in the old adage that it’s governments that lose elections. The corollary though is that oppositions have to look credible. In that Labour seems to be failing. Starmer’s strategy seems to be that… Read more »

COP26 Failure – Scotsman Article – 18 November 2021

  

COP26 has been and gone but what’s its legacy for Scotland, as well as for humanity. I was on the march almost a fortnight ago and it was huge, despite the weather and difficulties in accessing Glasgow. The train I was on busy with young and old, and from all parts of the globe. A train as busy as that’s… Read more »

Parliament Sleaze – Scotsman Article – 11 November 2021

  

Boris Johnson has certainly been damaged by his handling of the Owen Paterson scandal. How long term that’ll be is hard to say but it’s exposed the self-seeking charlatan that lies beneath the veneer of “jolly buffoonery”. Patersons crime was flagrant and the chicanery in trying to save him deplorable, it’s the cover up that gets, you as they say…. Read more »

Further Ferry Fiasco – Scotsman Article – 11 November 2021

  

There’s many questions arising from Scotland’s Ferry Fiasco, central to them though is why and who specified that the two vessels making slow headway in the Ferguson Yard had to be dual fuel marine diesel/ LNG. That’s at the heart of difficulties that have arisen and resulting delays.   It’s not just why when you’re hosting COP26 and trying to… Read more »

Scottish Government urged to show “courage” by introducing drug consumption rooms – Kenny MacAskill MP

  

Alba MP Kenny MacAskill and former Justice Secretary wants to see change from the Scottish Government and has called on them to save lives by introducing drug consumption rooms for users. The East Lothian MP made the demand after the new Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain signalled she would consider a fresh bid for a facility. Scotland has the worse drugs… Read more »

MACASKILL HITS OUT AT “CRAVEN SNP MPS CAUGHT COLLUDING WITH PRITTI PATEL” OVER DRACONIAN POWERS TO LIMIT PROTEST AT SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

  

ALBA Depute Leader Kenny MacAskill MP has launched a scathing attack on SNP MPs at Westminster Following the passage of the deadline (Thursday 4 November) for MPs to sign the Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by ALBA Westminster Leader Neale Hanvey MP and  supported by Mr MacAskill and SNP MPs Joanna Cherry QC MP and Douglas Chapman MP.  The purpose of the motion was to annul the… Read more »

Eurostar – Scotsman Article – 4 November 2021

  

Adverts came up on my social media timeline promoting Eurostar trains services direct from London’s St Pancras station to European cities. They looked very attractive, tempting even. I’ve been to Paris and Brussels, but I’ve never been to Antwerp a city that has long intrigued me. Besides, like many I’m beginning to develop a bit “cabin fever” from being at… Read more »