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It's a strange job being an MSP. Following last week's
Conference in Inverness, and a much enjoyed overnighter with friends in
Dingwall, the week ahead was certainly full of variety.
Straight through to the desk in Edinburgh on Monday to
try and clear the decks for the week ahead. Always full of good intentions
when I have a Monday without constituency events, but it never quite works
out like that. By the time I've reacted to the hundreds of emails the
hours have passed and it's dark outside.
Tuesday morning brought my first meeting of the
Standards Committee with our own Brian Adam in the Chair, and very good he
is at it too - obviously much respected by the other members and by the
Standards Commissioner. Had to leave early to race up the High Street to
give a presentation on the new parliament complex to a couple of dozen
Tour Guides who will be giving full tours to visitors - I hear that
already since it opened the new buildings have had more visitors than in
the last year on the Mound. Boy, did these Guides want details! By the end
of their tours I'm sure visitors will know more about than those of us who
work there every day. Had to leave just as lunch was being served
unfortunately.
Arrived at my next venue - giving a talk to varied
business people on how to lobby parliamentarians effectively - just as the
buffet was being cleared away. Par for the course, but they did give me
some chocolate brownies wrapped in napkins to take away - so it wasn't all
bad. Back to the office to be interviewed by a MORI Poll representative on
perceptions of some Scottish companies - it's always worthwhile to
participate in the MORI surveys as they donate £75 to a charity/group of
your choice. I was really delighted when East Kilbride CND reformed a
couple of months ago, so that's where I sent the cheque this time.
I was really looking forward to my evening in Glasgow
at the STUC where a Colombian Trade Union activist was visiting Scotland
to tell of his and his fellow members' experiences at the hands of the
Colombian Government. Unfortunately Hernando was unable to speak as openly
as he would have wished because four heavies from the Colombian Embassy
turned up to psyche him out: Well, they said they weren't from the
Embassy, merely interested in the topic, but the Colombian Embassy
insignia on their car kind of gave them away! I've met Latin and Central
American union activists many times, both here in Scotland and when I
visited Peru prior to that country's regime change, and I am always
astounded by the bravery of those who work for their compatriots in the
face of great personal danger. Hernando has been arrested many times at
home - never charged, just held for months and then released. On other
occasions Union and Community activists have been killed, or have
disappeared.
Wednesday, and again a new committee - Communities
Committee. The main subject this week was TETRA masts which are causing
great worried in communities all over the country. The committee agreed to
look into this further. From there, a quick dash to the Petitions
Committee - although I'm not a member any more, I did want to take part in
the grilling of the Minister as to why he won't hold a Public Inquiry on
behalf of adult survivors of institutional child abuse. He refuses point
blank - I simply cannot understand why. Anyway, all of the committee
members are annoyed at the Executive's attitude and are forcing a full
debate on the issue - good for them. Straight out from there to talk with
Holyrood Live for the BBC.
Managed to miss the Finance Minister's Budget Statement
in the Chamber in the afternoon - seems I didn't miss much, and drove to
Cumbernauld to take part in a 7:84 Theatre Company production about PFI.
Quite an innovative idea as they do the play and then ask politicos to
join them on stage for an audience discussion about PFI/PPP and its effect
on the Health Service and Education. It was well attended and the audience
really got into the discussion. Lots of our MSPs and other Nats have been
taking part in this - I understand that only one Labour member has turned
up at any of the showings. Must be feart, or ashamed, or both.
Straightforward Thursday - First Ministers
Questions/Question Time/Tories using their time to debate a motion of no
confidence in Malcolm Chisholm, the Health Minister. The Lib/Lab coalition
won the day as usual of course. Though interesting that Malcolm has since
been bumped.
Friday and Saturday as normal - try to clear the decks
again, and do house visits and community events (probably the most
enjoyable bit of the job). It was a quick week, but that's the kind of job
it is. |
