Here to represent Stirling community
An MP can be many things. A campaigner, an advocate or someone who advances a cause. To me, it is a huge honour to represent my home community of Stirling and this task will always be my highest priority. I will always be positive, persistent and constructive to make sure that Stirling’s voice is heard at Westminster. Representing everyone in Stirling without fear or favour.
My election, along with the election of twelve other Scottish Conservative MPs means our voice is heard at the heart of Government. The recent budget is proof of this. We have constructively lobbied for Scotland and secured real benefits. An additional £2billion of extra money is coming to Scotland. The Scottish Conservative MPs are important to the Conservative Government. Scotland is at the heart of the United Kingdom.
During the budget speech, the Chancellor talked about the ambitious Stirling City Region Deal. Stirling has been named in the last two budgets and this shows that it is a priority for the Conservative Government at Westminster. I have constructively lobbied for Stirling and we will see a deal signed early in the new year.
There are two distilleries in Stirling producing some of the best whisky in the country. I was proud to have been part of a constructive lobby to convince the Chancellor to reduce the whisky duty. Not only does this make whisky a little more affordable for people, it also benefits an industry that employs hundreds in Stirling and thousands across Scotland. The Scottish Conservative MPs constructively lobbied for Scotland’s interests and will keep doing so.
If we compare this approach of constructive engagement to the approach of the SNP there is a real difference.
When the SNP set up Police Scotland they not only removed local accountability for policing they also ignored a significant financial problem. The new body would have to pay VAT. The SNP argued that this didn’t matter and that the savings from merging the police forces together would outweigh the tax liability. This turned out to be untrue. Constructive lobbying from Scottish Conservative MPs has removed this financial burden and Police Scotland will no longer be liable to pay the tax. This keeps more money in Scotland paying for services in Scotland.
Furthermore, we have seen some real changes to the Universal Credit regime. As I explained a few weeks ago in my column, I have been a critical friend to the Government. I believe in what Universal Credit is trying to achieve. I have met with a great many advice providers and have heard from constituents around Stirling about problems with the system. Rather than shouting from the side-lines, I have constructively lobbied the Government about these issues and have had some success. The Chancellor has listened. The waiting period has been decreased and the amount of money that people can receive as an advance has increased. This will have a real impact and make the benefit work far better. I will keep raising issues with the Minister to ensure we keep improving the system.
Being positive and engaging constructively works. Your MP should be an effective campaigner for your interests and for the interests of Scotland as whole. Going on demonstrations or shouting outside offices is not a good way of advancing Stirling’s interests and is, frankly, a waste of time. The SNP use issues to create grievance and advance the cause of independence. My approach, and the approach of the whole Scottish Conservative team for Stirling, is to see problems as issues in need of solutions and we will always work hard to solve them and advance Stirling’s interests.