Please don’t be tempted to bend the rules
We all knew that Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations were going to be very different this year. The additional restrictions imposed over the weekend clearly demonstrate the serious concerns surrounding the new variant of the coronavirus and the over-riding priority to relieve pressure on our NHS.
These latest restrictions will come as major blow to many families planning to spend the Christmas season together, but it is vital that we all celebrate in accordance with the new rules.
Although the following weeks and months will be difficult there is a path back to normality provided by the successful development of vaccines and the Uk-wide vaccination programme.
The pace at which these vaccines have been developed is extraordinary. My sincere thanks go to the scientists, researchers and government officials who have all worked collaboratively across the UK and the world to make this possible.
That the United Kingdom was the first country in the world to complete the enormously challenging research and regulatory process required to introduce the Covid-19 vaccine is something which we should all be justifiably proud of.
A huge logistical programme of vaccination is now underway, aided by the British armed forces, NHS staff and our GPS. This is very real example of what can be achieved when we work together across the United Kingdom. However, whilst we should rightly be celebrating these successes it is imperative in this moment that we all behave responsibly over the festive period.
It would be a tragedy if we were to drop our guard now, creating the conditions in which the virus is able to spread more rapidly. Should you be tempted to bend the rules, please don’t. Pause to think about all those families who have lost a loved one and will now have a very different Christmas as they remember friends or family members.
Over the last nine months, we have all applauded those that have worked across our health and emergency services. Let us not forget that it will be the same people who will continue supporting us all over the festive period. Let’s do all we can in return to support them.
I would also ask readers to spare a thought for those local firms who have been affected so much in the past year and those that have lost their jobs and livelihoods.
Despite the unprecedented packages of financial support coming from the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak many local firms have been given inadequate support from the Scottish Government.
It is highly regrettable that the SNP administration here in Scotland has held back hundreds of millions of pounds in economic support that has been provided by the UK Government - a fact independently verified by the respected Fraser of Allander Institute. Instead of this money being hoarded by the SNP, it should be spent urgently on saving jobs and livelihoods across Scotland.
Businesses face more restrictions from Boxing Day. Support needs to get out the door urgently to local firms struggling to keep the lights on.
The year to come will be a pivotal one for Scotland with elections to the Scottish Parliament. I am honoured to have been selected as the Scottish Conservative candidate for the Stirling constituency at those elections.
I look forward to promoting the overwhelmingly positive case for Scotland remaining within the United Kingdom. At a time when the Uk-wide vaccination programme will be well underway and we begin to rebuild, the last thing Scotland needs to face is another divisive referendum. It is time to move on together.
I wish you all a safe Christmas and New Year.