In my column in this week’s East Lothian Courier I reflect on how the “downsides of ‘staycationing’ has been felt across the county.” Tourism is vital for East Lothian, with businesses and jobs depending upon it. The recent rush of visitors to hotels and chalet parks has been welcome and badly needed given that so much has been lost. But… Read more »
In my column in this week’s East Lothian Courier I discuss wearing masks, and getting the balance right between ensuring safe spaces for people in our communities and designing appropriate responses to local issues. “Remembering to take a mask can be frustrating when you’ve left home without one. I’ve started keeping them in different pockets and in the car or… Read more »
In my column in the Scotsman I have written about the need for greater care for our countryside from visitors, in light of concerning recent reports from across Scotland, including in East Lothian. “The right to roam runs deep in the Scottish soul. People were rightly angered by being excluded from land that they saw as their birthright and progress… Read more »
In this week’s column in the East Lothian Courier I discuss our need to ‘ca’ canny’ as we head towards our new normal. “Getting out to shops, cafes and pubs is important for wellbeing, as much as our economy. I’ve enjoyed a coffee outdoors, nattering to friends and meeting with constituents. Simple things like that which we once took for… Read more »
In my Column in the East Lothian Courier this week I discuss the importance of wearing masks at this time, as it becomes compulsory in shops as well as on public transport. London is a vast contrast to my more rural home. In some ways it was easier than my usual journey, with trains and subway quieter. However, everywhere, north… Read more »
In my column in the Scotsman today I write about the potential for a wave of unemployment on a much wider scale than that faced in the 80s. “Job losses are mounting, and unemployment threatens to become a tidal wave. We’ve been through it in the 1980s with Thatcherism, but the coronavirus crisis threatens to be worse and the effects… Read more »
In my column in this week’s East Lothian Courier I reflect on the transition out of lockdown, and the mental health and employment issues raised by the process. “Lockdown wasn’t simple and coming out of it won’t be easy either. “Some challenged by the isolation will find the change hard to cope with. “I know I’m finding returning to London… Read more »
In my column in the East Lothian Courier this week I discuss the need for fairer arrangements for National Grid connection charges. “I asked the business secretary about grid transmission charges. As offshore wind increases in scale and importance, it’s here that much of its energy lands. Cockenzie and Torness are transmission points, even if turbines are sited out at… Read more »
In my column in the East Lothian Courier I talk about the threat to Scottish Food standards in the controversial trade talks with the United States. “Farmers and constituents have been in touch, concerned about a reduction in food standards and protections. As USA trade deal negotiations continue, I share those fears, as it threatens those working hard on the… Read more »
In my column in the Scotsman this week I wrote about my first foray into Prime Minister’s Questions: “with fertile East Lothian priding itself on its food and drink sector, any reduction in standards is a huge threat. “With the Tories failing to enshrine protections in the Agriculture Bill and ministers prevaricating a few days previously, I asked Boris Johnson… Read more »