11th December 2023: A Week in Parliament

Gender Recognition

The Scottish Parliament passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill with a large majority, including members of all parties. Devolution is fundamentally flawed if the UK Government can override the democratic wishes of our Parliament and veto Scottish laws at the stroke of a pen. The Scottish Government is now considering the terms of the Court of Session decision.

Westminster’s Immigration Policy

Both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are ignoring reality and the country’s needs with promises to cut net migration. Scotland is already suffering as a result of Westminster’s Brexit and migration policies and these new Tory and Labour proposals will inevitably undermine our public services. The SNP Scottish Government will always say that they are proud of the benefits that migrants bring to this country and that they have chosen Scotland to be their home. If Westminster won’t take the necessary steps to ensure Scotland’s public services are protected, then it must deliver the necessary powers to Holyrood so that we can.

Child Poverty

Consecutive Westminster governments, which Scotland didn't vote for, have repeatedly prioritised austerity and support for the rich over efforts to tackle rising rates of child poverty and support families. Keir Starmer has confirmed a Labour government would continue down the same path, signing up to Tory tax and spending plans and austerity, including keeping the poverty-inducing two-child cap. The Scottish Government is doing what it can to tackle child poverty, such as freezing council tax and introducing the Scottish Child Payment, which has lifted 90,000 children out of poverty. But the reality is that whilst 85% of welfare spending and key powers remain reserved to Westminster, Scotland's actions will continue to be undermined.

Darvel Street Surgery

Enjoyed being out in Darvel on Friday (8th December) chapping doors with my staff as part of my Street Surgery engagement. The conditions were wet and windy but we were able to brave them and speak to constituents on their doorsteps about important national and local issues. Looking forward to being in Newmilns next week for more of the same!

Kilmarnock FC

What an early Christmas present that was for us Killie fans – not only nagging our first away win of the season but a memorable comeback against Celtic. The performance on Sunday was fantastic and have never seen a Killie side so dominant against them in life – we got our just rewards and it was no less than we deserved. That is now three wins against the Old Firm this season, massive credit has to go to Derek McInnes for pulling this off. Let’s hope we can go on a run now and continue to climb up the table with some favourable fixtures coming up over the next two weeks. I hope everyone enjoyed their Sunday as much as I did!