WORKING FOR YOU So disappointing to hear about graffiti

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the Armistice Day service in Airdrie.

I was pleased to see so many people in attendance, because when you look at the names on the war memorial and realise a great number of them were little more than boys, it makes you feel how lucky you are – and how much you owe them.

I gather there was also a good turnout in Coatbridge so, therefore, it was disappointing and sad – to say the least – to hear about the graffiti on the cenotaph there.

The people who were responsible should realise how much they owe to these brave service personnel.

As the years go by, there may be different ways of doing these services; but one thing is for sure, the people who never returned from war cannot – and surely will not – be forgotten.

Meanwhile, I am absolutely delighted the Scottish Government’s health secretary has agreed to an independent review into the process regarding the new Monklands Hospital.

Alex Neil and Neil Gray deserve all of the credit for this because they were out and about speaking to local people and getting petitions signed.

They also spoke up on behalf of Airdrie at the two consultation meetings in the town hall.

As I have previously said, Richard Leonard attended one of those meetings and never opened his mouth.

The only reason he called the debate in Holyrood about the hospital was because of the by-election in Coatbridge; therefore, in my opinion, playing politics on a matter he shouldn’t have done.

And to think this is something they always accuse the SNP of doing.

Nevertheless, it did prove one thing; that all of the political parties are against Gartcosh as the location, so hopefully that will be the end of that.

A few weeks ago it was a great pleasure to be invited to Victoria Primary School to see them being presented with the sportscotland gold award.

Pupils seem to be involved in various sports at lunch time and after school. At one point we were treated to a martial arts display from one of the pupils.

My congratulations go to the staff and pupils for all their hard work.

A few weeks ago you may have read some criticism of the SNP group for not joining the budget sounding board with the Tories and Labour.

We have again decided to go our own way, and I have no doubt we will produce an equally good budget to last year’s.

We will obviously know more after the Scottish Government budget in December and I have no doubt, despite the financial pressures they face, they will again come up with a good settlement.

The people who were responsible should realise how much they owe to these brave service personnel