New session, new optimism
September 1st, 2008

I never thought I would say this but after weeks of by-elections and leadership contests, it will be a relief to get back to Edinburgh.

The summer recess is now over and Parliament reconvenes this week with a statement on the programme for Government, which I suspect will be more interesting for what it doesn’t say, rather than what it does.

On the committee front, a disabled persons parking bill will seek to ensure that disabled parking bays are enforceable in law to ensure an end to the abuse of those spaces by inconsiderate drivers in all our roads and car parks.

This is an issue I know many local people feel strongly about and I look forward to see this bill pass into law.

Also on the horizon is the asbestos related damages bill which aims to continue compensation for those in our community who have been diagnosed with pleural plaques.  

This looks set to be a battle with the employers and the insurance companies who strongly oppose the bills implementation. But with all party political support we should see off that challenge.

Knife crime and the issue of mandatory custodial sentencing for carrying and using a knife will certainly be high on the agenda with the petitions committee hearing on Damian’s Law in the next couple of weeks. 

This will be the start of a parliamentary process which I hope will prove successful.

As I write this report highlighting just a few of the issues of interest locally, I am reminded about the work that has to be done and look forward to the forthcoming session with optimism knowing with your support we can make a real difference.