A Week in Parliament

Case Success 

Getting constituent success is a key part of my job. One case we had was about getting a VAT refund from a caravan park due to the reduction introduced by the Chancellor. The site in question stated I had misinterpreted the legislation and challenged me aggressively about my enquiries. I didn’t accept this and asked questions in the Commons to get the right information. The site has now agreed I am correct and with a bit of luck my constituent will get some hard-earned cash back as will many others across the country. Very satisfying.  

Internal Market Bill 

Just to re-iterate, this bill was passed in the House of Commons which commits the UK to breaking international law if they do not agree a deal with the EU. This is an international treaty signed by the UK and will now be lodged with the United Nations, but the UK argue it is credible to break it. No wonder lawyers from around the world are angry.  

When I spoke in the bill, I also highlighted other risks – Scotland could be forced to allow producers to grow genetically modified crops for example. The UK Government gets to decide what constitutes state aid. This means for example, if the Scottish Government wants to provide support for farmers or say a certain type of manufacturing industry that if the UK Government are not doing the same in England, they can rule the support of the Scottish Government illegal. Lower standard goods produced elsewhere in the UK will need to be accepted. This bill really does destroy the powers of the Scottish Government.  

That Accent Again 

I spoke a lot in the internal market bill – trying to correct Tories who were spouting nonsense. It got to the stage they would refuse to take interventions from myself, including two ministers who wouldn’t let me in. Usually a sign that you are being effective at least! 

My speech from report stage was posted on twitter. As this is an uncompromising platform, because of my accent, I was labelled an embarrassment, talking like a “Ned”, “thick” etc. I find it bizarre that fellow Scots think it is cringeworthy to have a strong accent. I know I have a decent enough vocabulary, so the assessment really is on my accent. At 50 years old though I won’t be changing it so that those who pass judgement think I am more clever!  

Margaret Ferrier MP 

It was easier to call for the resignation of Dominic Cummings, a political foe, and also Dr Catherine Calderwood when they broke the lockdown rules. When a hard-working colleague breaches the rules, it becomes much closer to home and more personal. However, it is unfathomable to me that Margaret travelled when she was waiting on a test result and should have been self-isolating. The feeling better line falls when she knowingly travelled back to Scotland on public transport after getting a positive covid-19 test result. The sad irony also being she travelled to speak in a debate about covid-19. When considering her actions, it is untenable to remain in position.