May I wish Strathearn Herald readers a merry Christmas and the very best for the New Year.
We are now about halfway through this Parliamentary session – which also happens to be my fourth - and therefore an excellent opportunity to provide an update on some of the work I have been doing during this time on behalf of you, my Mid Scotland and Fife constituents.
Firstly, 2023 has welcomed significant advancements in my Outdoor Education Bill which looks likely to be presented to the Parliament in 2024. So far, we have completed the initial proposal and consultation stages and are gaining widespread support from the outdoor sector, as well as from teachers, parents, and most importantly the students themselves. Currently, my bill is in its drafting stage and will soon begin the committee stage in which MSPs will have the opportunity to examine and scrutinise the legislation. I am pleased to have widespread support from MSPs from across the political divide to ensure it passes through Holyrood. No child should miss out on the opportunity to have a week of residential outdoor education which is an experience that we know is, from a wealth of evidence, so beneficial in boosting confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
Secondly, I was pleased that we witnessed a breakthrough on the scandal engulfing NHS Tayside with regards to the disgraced former neurosurgeon, Professor Sam Eljamel. The Scottish Government finally took the decision in September to grant a full independent inquiry into how the harrowing medical malpractice on the part of Eljamel - that has inflicted unimaginable physical and psychological pain on victims and their families - was allowed to happen. While there remain many unanswered questions and ongoing frustrations things are now appearing to be moving in the right direction. I wish to pay tribute to campaigners Jules Rose and Pet Kelly, who I have worked with for the last ten years, and whose steadfast and unrelenting campaigning on behalf of up to 200 victims secured this victory in the form of a public inquiry.
Lastly, in my capacity as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and alongside my colleagues in the finance committee, I have been scrutinising the difficult economic situation that is facing Scotland. Economic forecasts, think tanks, and experts are all pointing to huge issues in Scotland’s economy both in the present, but more worryingly, in the decades to come. It is clear a radically new trajectory and new ideas are required to fix the structural issues in the Scottish economy which include demographic imbalances and projected lower tax takes. What everyone wants to see from government right now is stability and fiscal responsibility so we can explore ways to secure economic sustainability for future generations.
May I once again send readers my warmest regards and good wishes for 2024 and please do not hesitate to contact my office should you require any assistance.
