Pete Wishart
SNP MP FOR PERTH & PERTHSHIRE NORTH Much more than Brexit to discuss
I had a fantastic weekend in Aberdeen at the SNP’s spring conference and everyone in the party certainly left the Granite City with a spring in their step.
Those attending the gathering heard announcements on new action the Scottish Government will be taking to improve education, grow the economy and protect public services.
Included in those announcements was an investment of £35 million over the next five years to employ 800 additional mental health workers in hospitals, GP surgeries, prisons and police stations. And we were also told that over £15 million extra will be invested in improving superfast broadband coverage for homes and businesses – benefiting 17,000 homes and businesses.
Of course, this conference met at a time when Scotland is approaching a hugely important crossroads and issues relating to the constitution were never far from the surface. The First Minister has been clear that if the UK Government’s concern is timing then – within reason – the Scottish Government is happy to have that discussion.
The Tories’reluctance to allow Scotland a choice is not hard to fathom. They are now terrified of the verdict of the Scottish people.
It wasn’t all about Brexit and independence, though. This is a party capable of multi-tasking, after all.
With the council elections coming up fast, there was a lot of attention given to the policies that will be important in that contest. For example, SNP councillors elected in May will be committed to ensuring that one per cent of their local authority’s budgets will be given directly to local communities through community choices budgeting. This is a brilliant initiative that really empowers local communities and gives everyone a direct say in how money is spent in their area.
And on the subject of council elections I want to put on record my appreciation for Ian Miller who has decided to stand down both as leader of the council and as a local councillor.
Ian’s time at the helm has seen such milestones as the re-establishment of city status for Perth and also significant policy decisions that will be a lasting legacy such as the building of new schools and the resumption of council house building, addressing the sore need for affordable accommodation. He has led Perth and Kinross Council with determination, dignity and consensus for the past 10 years. He really will be missed.
Meanwhile, back at the day job, the Scottish Affairs committee - of which I am chairman – held a joint session with the social security committee of the Scottish Parliament in which we took evidence from both Damian Green MP, secretary of state for work and pensions, and Angela Constance MSP, cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities, members of the UK and Scottish governments respectively.
It is important that we continue to try and break out of the old, staid Westminster way of doing things.