18th March 2024: A Week in Parliament

Gaza

The UK Government and Labour continually to avoid saying that the actions by the Israeli Government in preventing aid getting into Gaza amounts to collective punishment. They refuse to say whether some of the population now starving to death is genocide. Yet the UK and the US are now trying to find ways to get round the Israeli blockade by building a temporary port to get aid in – this means they acknowledge the Palestinians are starving to death. Meanwhile, arms sales to Israel from the UK continue. Make these matters make sense.

Drug Deaths

It should go without saying, but of course, the drug deaths in Scotland are too high and every life lost is a tragedy. The Scottish Government has an unwavering and unshakeable commitment to the national mission to tackle drug deaths. Through the £250 million National Mission on Drugs, they are taking a wide range of measures and National Mission funds have now backed more than 300 grassroots projects. I am committed to continuing the expansion of residential rehabilitation capacity and driving MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) standards forward. Additionally, I support the delivery of drug-checking facilities as part of our comprehensive approach. This year, the Scottish Government has made a record £112 million available to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, demonstrating our dedication to addressing this critical issue. Having witnessed firsthand the remarkable work carried out by the Recovery Hub on a daily basis, I am deeply impressed by their dedication and impact on our community. Organisations like these play a pivotal role in our ongoing fight against these tragic deaths.

Land Reform

As MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, one of the most rural constituencies in the UK, I welcome the Scottish Government’s new land reform legislation aimed at transforming how land is owned and managed in our rural and island communities for the better. It is not right that ownership and control of much of Scotland's land remain concentrated in the hands of relatively few people. We envision a Scotland where there is a strong and dynamic relationship between its land and people. One of the key concerns we aim to address is the feeling of powerlessness experienced by individuals and communities when the land they live on is sold without prior warning and this legislation provides safeguards.

FEAE Live

Really enjoyed attending the Forever and Ever podcast’s live event on Saturday. Along with 120 other diehards we had a great time and a good trip down memory lane. Well done to the guys from the pod who were able to secure Andy McLaren, Sammy Clingan and Lee Clark to attend the show. It was a trip down memory lane, and it was great to hear these guys talk all things Killie. There was also some fantastic live music from local musicians, and it was rounded off with an unbelievable Killie victory. The proverbial ‘game of two halves’ as the lads came from 2-0 down and scored five goals in a crazy 19-minute period. What a day. Next stop Europe? Or is it too soon to speak about that?