Category Archives: Speech

Protections for Bloggers

  

My question to the Attorney General asking for a commitment that bloggers are equally entitled to protections afforded to the mainstream media.      

Development Aid Debate: 30 June 2021

  

My contribution to the Development Aid Budget debate. Pointing out the obvious – we will benefit economically if we offer support. We will face the consequences if we don’t.  

Recommendations for the forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan

  

On June 10th in Westminster Hall, I spoke in the debate regarding the Recommendations for the forthcoming Tobacco Control Plan. While most of the aspects of this debate relate to England, there are some that do relate to Scotland and I hope one day they will be replicated. You can watch my contribution here.  

World Press Freedom Day 2021

  

Today in Parliament I spoke in Westminster Hall on World Press Freedom Day. A free press is essential for the proper functioning of democracy. We are beginning to see worrying restrictions on the free expression of journalists across Scotland. In my speech I make the argument again for the separation of the role of the Lord Advocate as a Scottish… Read more »

Speaking in Parliament: The Trade Bill

  

In the debate on the Trade Bill I underline the importance of protecting our high quality food and environmental standards, and our NHS, from the vested interests of US companies. “I think it’s absolutely essential that the National Health Service free at the point of delivery, and predicated on being a service delivered by a public duty rather than by… Read more »

Calling on the PM to extend the Furlough Scheme

  

Our European friends have seen the potential danger of forcing people back into work over the winter months, as well as the huge economic downside of pushing more and more people into unemployment and have very sensibly decided to extend the furlough scheme. We in Scotland do not have the economic powers necessary to implement our own furlough scheme so… Read more »

Question in Parliament on Broadband and Mobile Coverage

  

I asked the Minister for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport about UK Government targets for Broadband and Mobile coverage. Good coverage is vital to keep our economy going and – most importantly – to keep up our connections with our friends and loved ones, however the UK Government’s current target for Scotland could leave many people (mainly in rural areas… Read more »

Protecting the lowest paid from Coronavirus Economic Consequences

  

Responding to today’s speech from the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, I pointed out that “the least well off have suffered disproportionately with the health effects of this virus… they must not pay the price of the economic consequences.” I asked the Chancellor to “assure that the cost of these measures will not be borne by the poor and low paid, instead… Read more »

Unfair National Grid Connection Charges

  

I asked Alok Sharma, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, about ending the discriminatory regime of National Grid connection charges. These charges disproportionately affect sites in Scotland, Wales and the North of England, but it is in Scotland where the highest charges anywhere in the UK are applied. In contrast, energy producers based in London and… Read more »