The first Scottish Parliament debate of the new Parliament was on Scotland’s constitutional future, no unionist MSP made a positive case for remaining in the UK – while refusing Scotland the right to choose its future is not a sustainable position. In the other business last week the SNP advanced expanding childcare, devolving energy powers to Scotland, and backing assistance for first-time home buyers.
Scotland has given the SNP and pro-independence parties a clear mandate, John Swinney is now leading a leaner, sharper government focused on delivery, and the task ahead is to improve lives now while building support for Scotland’s fresh start with independence.
Sending my warmest congratulations to our family friend Shri Anoop Jacob on his appointment as a Minister in Kerala.
My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the entire new cabinet as they take the oath today. Wishing the team great success in serving the people of Kerala.
The suffering of the Tamil people must never be forgotten, denied or erased. We remember those who were killed, the families still searching for the disappeared, and all those who continue to live with the trauma of what happened.
The world must recognise the Tamil genocide and act on the need for justice. There must be an international route to accountability, an end to impunity, respect for human rights, and recognition of the Tamil people’s right to self-determination.
The first week of Parliament has passed, and Martyn Day MSP has been getting to grips with Parliament, its procedures, and the practical steps needed to get properly up and running, including the Oath Taking on Thursday.
The first sitting of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament took place today, commencing with the oath taking of the elected members. It was an enormous privilege to be sworn in as the MSP for Falkirk East and Linlithgow, and I look forward to serving my constituents.
Thank you to everyone who voted, helped, delivered leaflets, knocked doors, made calls, put up posters, gave lifts, shared posts and kept going right to the end. Elections are won by teams, and I am very grateful to every volunteer and supporter who gave their time and energy to this campaign.
I will work hard for every part of this constituency, whether you voted for me or not. The campaign is over, but the work now begins – standing up for local communities, protecting public services, tackling the cost of living, and making the case for Scotland’s right to choose its own future.
Great to speak with local people today, before and after prayers at the Falkirk Islamic Centre and Falkirk Central Mosque.
Thank you to everyone for the warm welcomes. It was good to catch up with old friends, meet some new ones, and hear directly about the issues that matter to people locally.
Martyn Day visited the Whyte & Mackay bottling plant at Grangemouth, arranged by the Scotch Whisky Association on Thursday 30 April.
The visit came as First Minister John Swinney welcomed the “tremendous news” that US tariffs on Scotch Whisky are being lifted. As he said, “people’s jobs were at stake” and “millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy.”
