Outside the George Johnstone Centre
Outside the George Johstone Centre in Tranent after a busy day of surgeries in the west of the Constituency. For information on my future advice surgery dates, please see this page.
Author Archives: kmadmin
If SNP wins 2021 Holyrood election, Scottish independence will come
My column in The Scotsman today:- “The UK is weakened and diminished and it’s only going to get worse. In the space of a week, the bold Boris has provoked not just a fight but a backlash from the EU, the world’s largest trading bloc. Meanwhile over Huawei, he’s managed to irritate the world’s two superpowers, China and the USA…. Read more »
Meeting with Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA
Great to catch up with Steve Gillan, the General Secretary of the POA, the Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers. The welfare of staff a vital concern.
How government rigs system in favour of big business over local charities
I wrote in today’s Scotsman about the tendering process charities must undergo to secure a contract to provide care services. “Social enterprises are universally lauded, yet we put a ball and chain around their ankles. “If football managers can get “rolling contracts” why not them? Surely a lighter touch can prevail for smaller community services, where it’s clear their skills… Read more »
East Lothian has some of the lowest levels of PM2.5 Air Pollution in the Country
I was given an interesting briefing from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) today. Though East Lothian is well placed on air pollution there’s no room for complacency given the effect it has on vulnerable individuals and local hot spots. The briefing made reference to PM2.5 particles, which are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air… Read more »
Meeting the Palestinian Ambassador
A great pleasure to meet Dr Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador this morning. Donald Trump’s proposals are outrageous and the cause of the Palestinian people and their rights under international law must be protected.
Video: On Brexit Day
Brexit isn’t a moment of celebration. The triumphalism from Downing Street is frankly disgraceful. It’s intimidatory and disrespectful towards those who have come from Europe and made this their home. – Longniddry, 31/01/2020
Minimum Unit Pricing Success
Minimum Unit Pricing Success – from the Daily Record Scotland’s former Justice Secretary has called on big booze companies to apologise for delaying the minimum pricing for alcohol. Kenny Macaskill’s call comes after the Treasury confirmed that there has been no increase in foreign duty on exports as a result of the 50p a unit base price. The SNP MP… Read more »
Labour leadership contender’s claim SNP are Tories shows she doesn’t understand Scotland
Commenting today in the Scotsman, on Emily Thornberry’s unfortunate comments about the SNP. “I’ve never met Emily Thornberry but I’m sure she doesn’t really hate the SNP. That was simply unfortunate rhetoric used by her as she played to the gallery in a party hustings. It was crass of her as I’m sure she’s not someone who burns with hate…. Read more »
A deadly global pandemic is coming even if it’s not from China
My column in today’s Scotsman: “The coronavirus that’s afflicting China and in danger of spreading is frightening. Armed soldiers, dressed in biological uniforms and face masks, sealing off entire cities is reminiscent of reading an Arthur C Clarke novel or watching a sci-fi movie. But it’s real life and, despite some apparent heavy-handedness and concern about general lack of democracy… Read more »