A Week in Parliament

Constituent Success

Sometimes you get a fantastic outcome that really lights up your week. After highlighting a sensitive PIP case for someone who was a childhood sexual abuse survivor, the office of the Secretary of State for the DWP got in touch. They have now awarded a 10 year PIP award, taking her out of the endless cycle of reviews that were causing mental health problems. All sorted within a week. Ideally, I wouldn’t have had to raise it, but it still shows what can be achieved.

Brussels

Just as the UK was officially leaving the EU, I made my first trip to Brussels. This was to meet with an organisation and discuss how I can link up and co-operate with others on my portfolio of energy and climate change. With the UK putting up barriers then it is important that we find other ways of co-operation. Interestingly they thought it was an important gesture for the Scottish Parliament to continue flying the EU flag while we are in the transition period. It was also bizarre that the Liberal Democrats, who try to claim to be the most Euro friendly party voted to take the flag down!

On the day of the withdrawal agreement going through the European Parliament, it was fitting that Auld Lang Syne was sung. There is no doubt they see Scotland in a completely different light now.

On my way home, at the Eurostar passport control, a border guard asked if I supported “The Killies” [sic]. Turns out there is a Killie fan in his office. We sure get about!

Emily Thornberry

Another Labour leadership candidate showed their knowledge and understanding of Scotland with her “I hate the SNP” comments. Given politics has gotten worse with fake news, outright lies and a culture of disrespect, then someone who thinks they could be Prime Minister shouldn’t be sounding off like that. However, I also have to acknowledge that she did make an apology, something else becoming rarer in politicians so maybe we can yet progress to a more respectful political culture.

Trump Peace Plan

So Trump has published a “peace plan” along with Israel. Optimists say it can be a starter for more talks between Israel and Palestine. However, that is naïve, to say the least. The document proposes that Israel annexes the Jordan Valley, which has some decent farmland and the all-important Jordan border. But in exchange Palestine is granted two areas of desert. What an absolute con job! And very transparent at that. I was also disappointed that the UK Government was not more robust. They claim to still uphold the belief that annexation is illegal in international law, so why not condemn these proposals at the very least. I am one of 140 cross-party MPs that have signed a letter which points out the failings of the plan and also where it differs from what has been the UK position for an agreed two-state solution.