A Week in Parliament

Office Re-Opening

Like the majority of offices, my constituency office staff have been working from home during covid-19. As restrictions ease, we have targeted a re-opening date of Monday 14th September. Appointments will be possible, but initially, we will not be open for spur of the moment drop-ins. I will provide further updates in due course, but also check social media for updates.

Constituency Visits

This is an aspect of the job I have missed – being out and about within the constituency and meeting the people who are the heartbeat of local communities. I suspect community organised events will still be some time in the future, but if anyone wants me to pop into their workplace/business or have community activities then please feel free to invite me and I will do my best to support.

Boris’ Holiday

As opinion polls continue to show a majority in Scotland favour independence, you can sense the unionist panic. Why else would Boris Johnson holiday in Scotland? The Daily Mail exposed where he was, yet he blamed the SNP with the official line it was no longer safe to stay there. What palpable nonsense. Given there were photographs of him on holiday, he wanted the public to know he was in Scotland, to give the impression he cares. It would be of no interest to Johnson to come and go incognito, as this would mean no coverage. No-one should be fooled by his clumsy attempts for publicity and blaming the SNP. In reality, he is suggesting that SNP voters are a threat to him which is insulting to half the voters in Scotland!

In Scotland we have fantastic access rights, which I have used myself over the years, doing camping or holidaying in a motorhome. The rules are simple – leave no trace of your visit. What an embarrassment that the Prime Minister of the UK pitched a tent in a farmer’s field without seeking permission, to then set up and leave the remnants of a campfire. Such inconsideration and leaving the mess to his security team signifies the arrogance and quality of the man right enough. Sadly, we see enough litter and irresponsible behaviour from some dirty campers without the Prime Minister setting a bad example. I still recommend camping or motorhoming to enjoy the great outdoors, but don’t be like Boris!

Parliament Returns

Westminster returns on September 1st. Usually, in September it only sits for a couple of weeks and then breaks for a three-week conference recess. As parties cannot stage their conferences other than some kind of virtual setting, then there is no conference recess this year. I hope the non-conference recess becomes a consideration going forward, as I have always found it a nuisance and frankly embarrassing for Parliament to site for two weeks after the summer recess and then have another three-week recess. While I always remain working, it looks to the public that the MPs are on holiday although I daresay some MPs do look at it that way.