Amid the turmoil we must calmly explore options

I never imagined I would start writing this column in such momentous times.

The EU referendum decision last week has sent our economy, our society and our politics into dramatic and uncertain times. The decision of UK voters to leave the EU was largely unexpected, so much so that it now seems clear that there has been little thought gone into what we do next.

People are extremely anxious and I have received a number of messages from constituents who are worried about the future.

In many ways the future is unpredictable – we don’t know who the Prime Minister will be, we don’t know when or if Article 50 will be triggered, we don’t know what the outcomes of EU negotiations will be.

The impact of this uncertainty on businesses is evident and the UK economy is facing huge risks. This is the new reality of UK politics. As an MSP who campaigned for the UK to remain and argued for the benefits of open trade, workers’rights, the positive contribution of migrants, and peace and security across Europe, I am deeply disappointed by the result.

This was a bruising campaign where complex issues were often distilled down into easy slogans, experts were regarded with suspicion and facts were difficult to identify.

Millions of people, and more than one million in Scotland, voted to exit but the decision leaves a country divided and in need of leadership.

So how do we in Scotland respond to this? Over 60% in Scotland voted to remain but a starting point should be to recognise that this was a UK vote.

There are a number of actions the First Minister must pursue and, this week in the Scottish Parliament, she outlined the steps she would take.

In the first instance, the Scottish Government must work with the UK Government and UK devolved parliaments to do all they can to protect jobs, pensions and investments across the UK. Scotland must have a leading role in EU negotiations to safeguard Scottish interests. But I also believe that no option for Scotland should be closed. We must calmly and rationally explore all our options.

The EU is a political union where solutions can be found if there is a will to make it work. It will need all of us to work together as much as we can in the interests of our country to get the best deal for Scotland.

And, while all this is a priority, we must not forget about our day job.

It is barely two months since voters in Scotland went to the polls to participate in the Scottish Parliament election.

I was delighted to be returned once again to represent you as one of your MSPs for Mid Scotland and Fife.

The election delivered a minority government and a parliament where cooperation and compromise are key.

This gives us the opportunity for better legislation, greater scrutiny of decisions and more collective action.

If we want to build a fairer Scotland it is vital that we work together and be prepared to use our new powers.

Whether that is in or out of the EU remains to be seen but we must not lose sight of what our Parliament can achieve in the interests of people in Scotland.