PUBLIC PRESSURE BRINGS END TO “UNNECESSARY AND CRUEL” PRACTICE
Reports suggest that electric shock collar devices used on dogs will be banned by Westminster “within weeks”, following sustained public pressure and a campaign led by the SNP. Continue reading SNP welcome shock collar ban commitment from UK Government
SNP politicians are calling on the Tory government at Westminster to use its reserved powers to ban the sale of electronic shock collars across the UK. Continue reading Taking a lead: SNP take shock collar campaign to Tories at Westminster
Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock is part of the SNP’s new Westminster Group leadership team, announced ahead of today’s Queen’s Speech by new group leader Ian Blackford MP. Ms Brock will be frontbench spokesperson on Devolved Government Relations and Northern Ireland and Fair Work and Employment. Continue reading Deidre Brock is SNP’s Westminster spokesperson on Fair Work and Employment
Continue reading It’s all about the Union as Edinburgh elects new council
Tuesday’s statement by the Prime Minister’s made it clear the UK is heading for an ‘economically disastrous hard Brexit’, according to local MSP Ben Macpherson. He said Scotland voted overwhelming to remain in the EU – with Edinburgh voting 74% to Remain – and the Scottish Government is doing all it can to make sure the Tories cannot ignore and act against Scotland’s interests. Continue reading Ben Macpherson: Scotland must choose it’s own path if all attempts to compromise are rejected
North and Leith MP Deirdre Brock has been appointed to sit on Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee. Continue reading Brock joins Scottish Affairs committee
‘a second independence referendum is clearly an option’ – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Talks will take place with EU institutions and member states to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.
The First Minister chaired a meeting of the Cabinet to discuss the Scottish Government’s next steps following the EU Referendum result.
In addition, regular contact will continue with the EU and, as was planned, Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, will be attending the AGRIFISH Council in Luxembourg on Monday and will meet EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan where he will raise the concerns of farming community in Scotland. He will meet with other EU Ministers to demonstrate that the EU remains a priority for Scotland
Following the meeting, the First Minister said: “We have had a very full discussion about the result of the EU referendum, its implications for Scotland and the steps we need to take in the days, weeks and months that lie ahead to protect Scotland’s interests.
“Cabinet expressed its pride in the vote in Scotland, the emphatic vote in Scotland, to remain in the European Union. The Cabinet also shared the deep disappointment at the UK-wide result that is clearly felt by a majority of people across this country, and we are determined to act decisively but in a way that builds unity across Scotland about the way forward.
“As I said yesterday a second independence referendum is clearly an option which requires to be on the table, and it is very much on the table. To ensure that option is a deliverable one in the required timetable steps will be taken now to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place and Cabinet this morning formally agreed that work.
“However most of our discussions this morning centred on what we can do in the here and now and in the negotiations that lie ahead, to protect Scotland’s relationship with the European Union and our place in the Single Market. Cabinet agreed that we will seek to enter into immediate discussions with the EU institutions and the other EU member states to explore all possible options to protect Scotland’s place in the EU.
“In doing so, we are determined to draw on as much support and advice from across Scotland as possible and I confirm today that over the next few days I will establish an advisory panel comprising a range of experts who can advise me and the Scottish Government on a number of important matters – legal, financial and diplomatic. It will also seek to encompass voices from across the political spectrum in Scotland and indeed different views on Scotland’s constitutional future. I will say more early next week about the membership of this expert advisory panel.
“Lastly, Cabinet discussed this morning the very important work that we need to do to reassure people across Scotland who are concerned about the implications of this result. An intensive programme of engagement is already underway with stakeholders, especially our business community, to emphasise that Scotland is and Scotland will continue to be an attractive and a stable place to do business.
“One particular group that we are anxious to reassure is the community of EU citizens living here in Scotland. I said yesterday that people from other EU countries that have chosen, done us the honour of choosing to make Scotland their home are welcome here and I repeat that again today. I want to make sure that that is a message we get across strongly in the weeks and months ahead. To that end, I will be inviting the consul generals of all EU member states to a summit here in Bute house over the next two weeks to discuss how we engage with their communities here and make clear how highly we value the contribution they make to Scotland’s economy, to our society and to our culture.
“The final point I want to make this morning is this one. The Scottish Government will be working hard to protect Scotland interests in the period ahead and in the wake of the referendum result. But as we do this we will not be taking our eye off the ball of the day to day business of government. As Westminster is engulfed in political turmoil and as a vacuum of leadership develops, I want to make clear that Scotland is led by a stable and effective government. We are focussed on making sure that Scotland’s interests are protected but we are also determined to continue our work to further improve our schools, our hospitals and our economy.
“As First Minister I am focused entirely on governing this country in the interests of all the people of Scotland, that is my overarching priority.”
First surgery details announced
New MSP Ben McPherson was sworn in as the new member for Edinburgh Northern & Leith MSP yesterday, one of five new Edinburgh constituency MSPs voted in last week. Continue reading Ben Macpherson sworn in as Northern Leith MSP
Edinburgh West SNP MP Michelle Thomson now holds a surgery at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre (writes JAMES McGINTY)
FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 10.30 – 11.30am
Our newly elected MP in Westminster is back in Scotland after an extensive introduction to Westminster parliamentary procedure, whilst juggling her duties here in Scotland in her constituency.
Many of us have followed Michelle’s exploits via her reports in the Evening News. and Michelle now starts her promised General Surgery here in the Centre (see above).
Come along, no appointment necessary (open door). The surgery will take place in the cafeteria area but will have private space available if required.
Deputy council leader Councillor Steve Cardownie is to step down from front-line politics. The Forth councillor will stay on as an elected member but has relinquished leadership of the SNP group – and with it his Deputy Council Leader post. Mr Cardownie says he is leaving for personal reasons and to spend more time with his family.
Formerly a trade union official, Steve Cardownie became a Labour councillor on Edinburgh District Council in 1988. Always a colourful and often a controversial figure, Cardownie infuriated many when he ‘jumped ship’ to join the SNP in 2005.
Mr Cardownie was a lonely figure as the sole SNP councillor on the local authority for two years but an upsurge in his new party’s fortunes saw a greatly-increased SNP group share power in successive coalitions – first with the Liberal Democrats in 2007 and then with Labour in 2012. He has served in his current role since 2007 and is widely recognised as the city’s ‘Festival Czar’.
With over 25 years of political experience under his belt the SNP will find Steve Cardownie’s skills as a negotiator and fixer hard to replace. The new group leader is Sandy Howat, but he’ll find the Jambo from Leith a hard act to follow.
Cllr Howat said: ““Steve will still have a large role to play in the group. He has been a very successful politician on many and all levels, and he goes with a great deal of thanks. Honestly, I would have liked him to stay for another year – I thought he still had a lot to offer.”
Steve Cardownie said: “It had been my intention for some time to relinquish the position as leader, but I wanted to ensure the coalition got to the other side of the referendum intact. I have successfully negotiated two coalition deals – first with the Liberal Democrats and then with Labour – which has kept the SNP in the administration for eight years now.
“Having got through the referendum, the coalition is still strong and I felt it was time to give someone else the opportunity to develop their style. I have a ten-year-old son and I want to spend a bit more time with him.”
