Focus will be on local issues

Since I last wrote this column Boris Johnson has become our new prime minister and has charted an entirely new course for the government, with an almost wholesale change of cabinet ministers and a nearly as extensive set of changes at a junior ministerial level as well.

There has been a return of, or promotion for, some very talented colleagues with whom I look forward to working with closely in the future, including new Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack MP.

Although I will no longer be serving as a private parliamentary secretary to the Cabinet Office and MHCLG, I will continue to support the government’s efforts to secure a good deal for the UK with the EU, as has been my position since being elected in 2017.

I will also continue to put Ochil and South Perthshire at the heart of everything I continue to do; from arguing for Scotland’s place in the UK Agriculture Bill to ensuring we reap the benefits of the £65 million in UK government funding secured for Perth and Kinross in the Tay Cities Deal.

In the meantime, figures released in the last month show the disastrous impact of the SNP tax policy and forecast that have left us with a £1 billion gap that now must be bridged.

Furthermore, although we are paying around £500m in extra tax, almost all of this is being lost in decreased tax revenues, meanwhile our education and health services are buckling under SNP management. The SNP will continue to distract people with Brexit and obsess about separation, but in reality it is their failure in Edinburgh that is letting our constituency down.

I don’t say this just to score a political point – I actually secured a debate on funding before the summer recess in parliament and not one SNP MP turned up to participate.

Political disagreements are part of life in Westminster, but to not even turn up feels a bit like the SNP had simply abandoned the field (Labour and Lib Dems did show up).

InWestminster, cross-party work continues on the UK Agriculture Bill so that Scotland doesn’t get left out of this important piece of legislation. Currently, the SNP administration in Edinburgh has abandoned our farmers and left Scotland out meaning we could end up missing out on important payments for our farmers and threaten our home market of the UK.

I will continue to work with all willing parties to ensure we are not left behind or our rural economies put in jeopardy.

The media in the next two months will be dominated by Brexit, but my team and I will be staying focused on the Agriculture Bill, rural broadband, redevelopment of the empty buildings in our towns and villages and delivering the benefits of the city deal.

I can be contacted at my office at 2 Comrie Street, Crieff, by telephone (01764 680384) or by email (luke. grahamoffice@parliament. uk).

Help persuade council to installcrossing

I was pleased to welcome the successful completion of the road works around Gallowhill and King Street in Crieff recently.

This followed a long campaign to bring about change, which included a petition of more than 1000 signatures urging action from Perth and Kinross Council.

A similar area of concern in another part of the town is the lack of pedestrian crossing measures on East High Street, near the junctions of Strathearn Terrace and Dollerie Terrace. Many people cite examples of elderly residents waiting for long periods of time to cross safely in this area.

For that reason, I have created a new petition to urge Transport Scotland to bring about safety measures on this trunk road.

It can be signed until Friday, September 6, at The Handy Shop, or by contacting myself on 07709347044. Craig Finlay Crieff

Soutar story got the creative juicesflowing

I read with such interest the feature entitled ‘Soutar’s poems in a single volume for first time’ in the Perthshire Advertiser (August 6), and that Perth-based publishers Tippermuir is to publish the complete works of poetry by Perth poet

As a lover of poetry I derive such pleasure in writing verse.

I find it so interesting to read about William Soutar, who was bedridden for 13 years in his parents’ house in Perth’s Wilson Street.

He rose above adversity with his pen. It is little wonder his memory is cherished in his Fair City.

I wish to pay a wee poetic compliment to the celebrated wordsmith and wish the forthcoming volume well. From his bed in Wilson Street Such words from there did flow, Letters, poems and diaries From the world he did know. Although the world he did not see, So much he may not ken, He gave that world so much With paper and with pen. Perth’s famed poetic son, So treasured now today, His memory must ignite pride Against adversity. As from his room all he did know, Although may seemed forlorn, Such words that will endure time From Wilson Street was born. Thomas Brown Garry Place Bankfoot

Everyonewithkidneydisease canenjoyagooddiet

Did you know that there are currently 451 people in need of a kidney transplant in Scotland whose diet will

It is likely that they will be on fluid restrictions of around just 500ml of liquid a day (including liquid found in foods like sauces and ice cream).

That’s roughly the equivalent of only being able to have a small cup of tea and one can of soft drink for the whole day.

In addition, they are likely to have to limit the potassium and phosphate in their diet which means missing out on enjoying foods like chocolate, bananas and tomatoes.

Sadly a lot of the advice given to patients focuses on the foods to avoid but we want to make the kidney diet about all the things kidney patients can eat and to bring enjoyment back into food which is why we’ve launched the Kidney Kitchen.

Research shows that only 50 per cent of the general public in the Scotland are aware that kidney disease can restrict your diet, and just 45 per cent are aware that having kidney disease can restrict the amount of liquid you can consume every day.

We hope the Kidney Kitchen will help raise awareness amongst your readers so that everyone living with kidney disease in Scotland can enjoy healthy and delicious food with their family and friends.

All of the recipes have been developed with the support of renal dieticians and each recipe comes with facts to help those cooking and/ or eating the food how the recipes fit into their diet. If you are, or if you know a kidney patient, make sure you check out www.kidneykitchen. org Ewen Maclean Advocacy officer, Scotland Kidney Care UK