Increased disappointment with Holyrood is in some ways to be expected. A political malaise is afflicting most western democracies and Scotland’s not unique with its growing contempt for politics and politicians. But in Scotland where constitutional politics are to the fore its heightened. Westminster isn’t exactly excelling and that’s before a change in administration will see little discernible change. Unionists… Read more »
Last week Parliament provided an opportunity for MPs to express their anger with the delay in addressing the manifest pension injustice faced by many women born in the 1950s. There’s quite a few here in the county and many have been in touch with me. Across the country the number’s huge and their hurt and loss has been significant. Some… Read more »
We’re used to energy acronyms and initials in Scotland. Ofgem, SP and SSE are part of our lexicon. Now there’s two more. And they’re going to be significant, even controversial in parts. ESO is the Electricity System Operator, in fact it’s National Grid ESO and part of that privatised combine, mostly foreign owned, which operates the grid. This new group will neither produce… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »