Category Archives: News

East Lothian Courier – 14 March 2024

  

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 such was a reduction in National Insurance which will benefit many who are working yet struggling. However, for many it’s almost entirely… Read more »

It’s Worse – 14 March 2024

  

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 personal story’s always far more haunting. I also consider myself robust having listened to many who had suffered or endured atrocities… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 7 March 2024

  

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 where tears were brought to everyone presents eyes listening to the scale of the horror. However, bad… Read more »

What Are They For? – 7 March 2024

  

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 demonstrators and a fed-up electorate as extremists.  I disagree with Galloway on many issues, not least Independence, but his victory was more than just a… Read more »

East Lothian Courier – 29 February 2024

  

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 required to cancel. There are many votes you can miss and with a comfortable Tory majority it makes no… Read more »

Votes Do Matter – 29 February 2024

  

Shambolic scenes in Westminster last week were unedifying and shameful. Politicians squabbled as children in Gaza were dying as Israeli genocide continues unabated. Many votes in Parliament don’t really matter with a still significant Tory majority ensuring t they can drive through their wants. Occasionally though comes an occasion where it’s close to call or that every vote counts. Last… Read more »

The Unjust Transition – 28 February 2024

  

It’s undeniable that we must transition from fossil fuels to renewables. It must though be at a pace which allows us to adapt and most importantly to make that transition. In East Lothian as in many other areas the turbines are already on the hills with more being added and with older ones now being replaced. Solar panelling between columns… Read more »

Grangemouth Also Matters – 22 February 2024

  

As Labour, SNP and Tory all beat their chests and battle it out over who cares most about North Sea oil, they ignore the plight of Grangemouth Refinery. It also matters but has shamefully been ignored, even hidden by governments both sides of the border. The growing threat to the plant matched by an inverse level of interest in and… Read more »

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 »