FESTIVE MESSAGES
At this time of year most minds are turned to friends, family and some time spent at home but the festive season is also a time for reflection.
It has been a turbulent year in politics and events, not only in Scotland and the UK but across the world, impact on us all.
We have had important elections for the Scottish Parliament but equally the referendum on Europe and the presidential election in the United States will have a profound impact on Scotland. Liz Smith There is an old tradition of opening the front door to invite the new year in and the back door to let the old year out.
I suspect many people will be delighted to say goodbye to 2016.
This year generated all sorts of memes on social media along the lines of 2016 being the one that future generations“won’t talk about”.
I was very happy with the way in which the year began. The Scottish Parliament elections saw the SNP returned to government for a historic third term. Things started to turn sour with the result of the Brexit referendum and
Some years ago I tackled Donald Trump on the issue of climate change when he gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s economy committee, opposing the construction of an offshore windfarm near his golf course.
If someone had told me then that a few years later he would be in a position to have a profound influence on global energy policy I would have thought it was a terrible joke.
Only two years ago we thought the constitutional reached unbelievable heights when Donald Trump was elected president in the USA.
There have , however, been plenty of positives to look back on with fondness here in Perthshire.
John Swinney and I were delighted to host a couple of business summits, and there was a great turnout too at the public meeting I held for EU nationals in the wake of the Brexit referendum.
I was delighted, in my new role as chair of the Scottish affairs select committee, to bring the committee to Perth for the very first time.
2016 saw the launch of a future of our country had been settled in a referendum. Now, rightly or wrongly, we have been plunged back into this debate again.
We are going through a period of huge political change in our world. We still don’t know what Brexit will actually look like in reality. I will make the case that protecting key industries like tourism, agriculture and food and drink is vital, as well as important employment rights currently secured by our membership of the EU.
So many world events are outwith our control but we must focus on what we can and I would like to wish all Perthshire Advertiser readers a happy new year and all the best for 2017.
2016 was a year of political shocks, from our decision to leave the EU to the forthcoming presidency of Donald Trump and the revival of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Away from politics, Andy Murray fought his way to a second Wimbledon title, a second Olympic gold medal, a third BBC Sports Personality of theYear award and also found time to topple Novak Djokovic to become Britain’s first singles world number one.
We also spent a summer campaign to bid for the title of UK City of Culture in 2021 – and it would be absolutely f antastic if Perth were to be successful.
One important aspect of culture is the built environment and it was with some relief that I was able to welcome plans which will, at long last, see progress for two significant buildings in Perth city centre: the City Halls and St Paul’s Church. These buildings have been doing nothing but rotting for far too long.
Whatever 2016 has meant for you, I hope you all had a merry Christmas and wish you all the very best for a prosperous, healthy and happy 2017. should do here in Scotland. That work starts in our councils, where we have important elections next year, and in Holyrood, with our parliament gaining further important tax powers.
World events are not an excuse for failing to give our schools the investment they need or for local services being reduced. Even in uncertain and challenging times we can and should achieve a lot more for the communities of Strathearn.
While I am sure many of us will hope for a less eventful year than we have had in 2016, I hope we will see change for the better for this part of Scotland. basking in the glow of Great Britain’s performance in the Olympics, where we finished an impressive second behind the United States in the medal table.
In 2016 I was also honoured to be re-elected to the Scottish Parliament. Over the course of the year I stood up for rural residents and fought for an end to the named persons scheme, better rural healthcare, faster broadband connections, more convenient transport links and an economy that works for people in both urban and rural locations.
Throughout next year I plan to step up my work to improve the treatment of head injuries in sport, the creation of a direct rail link between Perth and Edinburgh and a curriculum that supports learners and teachers.
In 2017 we need both of our governments to deliver the best possible Brexit deal for business and families. Right now it doesn’t look like the SNP are interested in this and wrangling over the constitution will not be welcomed by people weary of another referendum.
As always I can be contacted at The Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, Perth PH2 6PL; on 01738 553990; or elizabeth.smith. msp@parliament.scot. Claire Baker
We are going through a period of huge political change in our world