Author Archives: Carla Newton

East Lothian Courier – 21 December 2023

  

Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and for children it can be truly magical for them. However, for far too many youngsters in East Lothian it’ll be far from what it should be and the pressure upon their parents to try and provide for them will be severe. Yet it’s such a delight to see pleasure on… Read more »

Differing Trajectories – 21 December 2023

  

Recently I asked Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, whose remit also covers women and equalities, about police forces routinely recording sex offenders not by sex at birth but gender, whether with a gender recognition certificate or just self-identifying. That skews criminal justice data with the absurdity of females recorded as rapists. It’s highly damaging for policymaking where accurate information’s critical…. Read more »

Democracy is Drowning – 14 December 2023

  

It never rains but it pours and so it seems for Humza Yousaf. Last week seeing dreadful PISA scores juxtaposed between two crushing court defeats. He’s floundering with little sign of keeping his head above water. But it’s not just him but western democracy that’s drowning. It’s hard to see any salvation for him on the horizon. There’s no good… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 14 December 2023

  

Sometimes in Parliament the best information’s gleamed from written questions or research from the House of Commons library and so it was last week. As the situation in Gaza has worsened, I’ve looked on with horror. A humanitarian pause was always totally inadequate and now war has recommenced with a vengeance. I asked the Ministry of Defence whether RAF Akrotiri… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 7 December 2023

  

The closure of the Grangemouth Refinery wouldn’t just be a severe blow to Scotland but it highlights the absurdity of an energy rich country failing to see the benefit of its natural bounty. The oil that Scots were told in 2014 was all but gone and really was a burden is now at the heart of reviving the UK economy…. Read more »

Not In My Name – 7 December 2023

  

It’s twenty years since “Shock and Awe” was unleashed on Iraq as the UK shamefully went to war, despite the millions who marched against it. Complicity with the USA saw blood on our hands for the tragedy that unfolded not just in that land but around the globe, and the consequences of which we live with to this day whether… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 30 November 2023

  

The Autumn statement was the main focus in Parliament last week. Whilst as ever there were things to welcome what was absent was action on the energy crisis. No support’s forthcoming this year, nor are the poorest and most vulnerable being afforded some protection with a social tariff. There’s been talk but still no action. Fuel bills it’s reckoned will… Read more »

Preparing for Defeat – 30 November 2023

  

Humza Yousaf has earned respect for his sincere and principled position on Gaza. There’s nothing like the personal to energise the political but he’s been passionate and shown a human side, endearing him to many who did not know him or had never seen that aspect. But on the domestic agenda he’s floundering. Circling the wagons to defend against repeated… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 23 November 2023

  

Gaza was the major issue in Westminster last week. I supported the call for a ceasefire as I have from the very start. The carnage is worsening and the need for an end to the slaughter never more vital. Both families from those attacked or kidnapped by Hamas and from Palestinians suffering in Gaza were there and their testimony heart… Read more »

Pooling and Sharing – 23 November 2023

  

As the Chancellor spreads the cash, seeking to buttress falling Tory support, I’m minded of the mantra preached by unionists at the referendum that the strength of the UK was the “pooling and sharing” it afforded. Assets pooled and resource shared, or so we were led to believe.But how’s that going with energy? The oil and gas which we were told… Read more »