Dodgy deals on trade not wanted
Thanks to all the public sector workers who fought through the blizzards last week to keep roads clear and vital services running through the worst weather I can remember in Stirling since the winter of 2010.
At Holyrood the snow cleared away Parliamentary business leaving a debate on a bill which could stop the Brexit power grab by Westminster and allow Holyrood to protect EU laws.
The Continuity Bill is needed because of the utter failure of the UK Government to engage with the Welsh and Scottish Governments over how to share responsibilities post-Brexit. Because the Bill is emergency legislation the opportunities for getting it right will be tight, just three weeks. I’ll be focusing on making sure that hard won European social and environmental protections are not lost.
It’s clear that the costs to our economy of Brexit will be enormous and there will be pressure to strike trade deals around the world which weaken these protections. That’s a real worry, the last thing we want is a race to the bottom in standards in an effort to strike a deal with Donald Trump. I’m not a fan of chlorinated chicken and don’t want US corporations running our public services.
Westminster’s Trade Bill could lead to dodgy deals being cooked up behind closed doors with next to no scrutiny, with corporate lobbyists being able to influence these deals from the shadows.
Increasing trade in goods and services should be a positive thing that creates opportunities to grow economies and tackle disadvantage globally, but too often trade deals weaken protections and allow corporations to take over public services that are then no longer delivered in the public interest.
I was successful in winning the support of the Scottish Parliament for the Principles for Trade Justice backed by organisations from the STUC to Friends of the Earth. It sets out how trade deals must be democratic, act in the public interest and do good. A strong starting point for how we test Westminster’s proposals.
The quality of our food is certainly not being compromised in Stirling’s schools. I recently hosted an event in Parliament to celebrate the Food for Life programme which has seen nearly a thousand catering outlets across Scotland supply better quality and choice of fresh, local, seasonal and even organic food.
The programme has made a big impact in Stirling’s schools. It’s been great for our young people’s education too, with opportunities to grow veg, rear hens, cook and re-design menus. My own children have worked with celebrity chefs, met farmers and cooked up some delicious food, all while benefiting from the improved range and choice available day to day. No chlorinated chicken for them.
I’m pleased then that as part of the“bonfire of the cuts”that came as a result of the £2.8m extra funding Green MSPs secured for Stirling Council in the recent Holyrood budget, that the damaging proposal to cut back on school meal choice was dropped. Of ongoing concern though is the proposal to introduce shared headships. Head teachers are already stretched and I’m sure it could be smaller rural primaries that suffer.
Lastly I was delighted to read in the Observer that beavers are back in the Forth. We need to bring in legal protection as soon as possible for these incredible creatures while working with more enlightened farmers to create the right habitats.
You can drop into my Stirling office at 67a King Street (old Xmas shop) most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, email me on mark. ruskell.msp@parliament. scot or phone on 448203.