New year brings with it a chance to reflect
Just before Christmas, Yvonne and I were blessed with the birth of our eighth grandchild. This wonderful occasion brought home to me just how fortunate I am and, although it is a much-used metaphor, a new child at the start of a new year caused me to reflect on how we can all approach this time of year.
My new granddaughter, Emery, has that blank canvas waiting to be filled with her journey through life. To a certain extent this applies to all of us: we can take a new year as an opportunity to consider aspects of our own lives and try to make positive changes if we are able to do so.
Many in our society face daily struggles and challenges; many have had their lives marked by terrible events, poor health, periods of misfortune and sheer bad luck.
For some people it is extremely difficult to make changes or improve their situation. I am humbled by the quiet determination and capacity to cope shown by so many and by the work carried out by all those that provide help, support and guidance to those in need. It has been my privilege to meet some of those people and I look forward to many more opportunities to continue to do so in 2018.
Of course, we face many challenges in our own country but when one considers those faced by huge numbers of people across the globe day after day we should give thanks that, overall, we are extremely fortunate when compared with so many others.
Armed conflicts around the world are depressingly numerous. A war zone provides many of the most horrific circumstances that individuals are forced to cope with. I am especially concerned by the increased instances of sexual violence in these conflicts. This is often calculated and carried out as a ‘weapon of war’.
Just before the festive break I established an All Party Parliamentary Group. The remit of this formal body, that has members from many political parties, will be to scrutinise this issue and make recommendations to the UK Government.
I hope this will help make our country’s approach to these terrible crimes as robust as possible.
These all-party groups are just one example of how members of parliament, irrespective of their political views, work closely together on a wide range of issues. It does concern me that this sensible, pragmatic and detailed work is very often unreported. All most of us see on the news is the adversarial theatre of Prime Minister’s questions.
There is far more civility and consensus in our political system than those sessions might suggest. On a personal note, I have appreciated the kind words and practical support from many MPs of every party that have helped me in the months since the election.
I will do everything I can to encourage this civility and a positive relationship between individuals, parties and the two parliaments that between them govern our affairs in Scotland. 2018 is going to be a crucially important year, one in which we must agree mutually beneficial solutions in the complex negotiations with our European colleagues. This can only be achieved if we all engage together.
For myself I am honoured to be your elected representative and I will do my best to be as effective as possible as an advocate for the constituency throughout 2018.
Finally, I would take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful and positive 2018.
My new granddaughter has that blank canvas waiting to be filled with her journey through life