I’m grateful for the messages of support after the terror attack on Westminster
Just over a week ago, I sat in the debating chamber of the House of Commons for almost seven hours waiting for the all clear from the security services following a series of serious events which took place only yards away.
Throughout that time my thoughts were with the brave men and women outside the building who rushed towards the danger at the same time as I was told to stay put and stay safe.
I will always be grateful for their courage and service, and for everything they do to keep us all safe both at Westminster and in Perth and Kinross three hundred and sixty-five days of the year.
Each and every one of them is a hero.
Over the past week I’ve been grateful to receive a growing number of personal messages of support following the terrorist murders in London last week.
I’ve been especially heartened by the messages of solidarity from friends and constituents.
But I’ve been particularly touched by the number of people who have shown such kind humanity to reach out a hand of friendship to my team, family and I even though they may disagree with me on matters of politics or policy. Thank you so much. To me, these messages have been particularly important as they’ve demonstrated how this act of terror has failed in its attempts to cow our democracy.
This cruel murderer, a man who picked fights in pubs and committed acts of domestic violence, took the lives of innocent civilians and an unarmed policeman, but he will fail if he thinks that we’ll in turn stop our efforts to defeat his hateful cause.
We can’t address the growth of violence and murder fuelled by hatred and intolerance by stirring up yet more hatred and intolerance of another sort.
It is by celebrating our diversity, and championing our peaceful democracy that we will overcome this hate-filled ideology.
That’s just what I intend to do over the weeks and months ahead.
I hold regular surgeries across the Ochil and South Perthshire constituency.
Constituents who would like an appointment can arrange this though my office by calling 01259 726661, or by emailing me at tas.mp@ parliament.uk