By Christine Grahame

SNP MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale

DURING COVID gardens, both personal and public, made a huge difference to our wellbeing so I want to thank Gala In Bloom for the lovely beds in Bank Street, and coming soon the planters and hanging baskets.

I have suggested that to help with the cost, businesses and individuals could sponsor. I already sponsor a planter at Gorebridge Station and would be happy to sponsor a planter in Gala.

While I am on about gardening things, what about the council planting up roundabouts.

I know my colleague councillor Fay Sinclair has been pursuing this for months. Other councils do it so what’s the issue?

It cheers you up and in some places they are planted up with wild flowers which is good for pollinators.

Finally I couldn’t conclude this gardening spot without mentioning the burgeoning weeds in the “flower bed” outside the Great Tapestry building.

If it wasn’t for my bad back I’d have a go myself. Meantime back at the ranch (Parly) I had the first debate on my bill Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act.

This is to instruct the government to issue a Code of Practice which is to be read by anyone thinking of getting a puppy or dog.

There are a lot of considerations to make: the breed, your lifestyle, vets’ and food costs and so on.

I do understand the impulse to buy that cute puppy but you should check where that puppy has come from.

Did you know for instance that puppy factory farming where breeding bitches and their litters are kept in awful conditions and often shipped here from Eire to be sold often online?

It is worth £13 million a year and run by criminal organisations.

Often someone finds that the puppy is very sick and may even have to be put down.

You may think you are “rescuing” such a puppy but all that happens is another little puppy is produced on the conveyor belt of misery.

The debate was excellent and you can access this on my Facebook.

We also have a new First Minister and I am delighted it is John Swinney and that Kate Forbes is his deputy.

I have known John for decades. He has a wealth of experience and is a thoroughly decent man.

Kate ( whom I supported) is bright and enthusiastic and with the portfolio for the economy is respected across the business community and without a burgeoning economy, we won’t have the wherewith-all to support good public services.

This is an important point given that the NHS takes 47 per cent of the Scottish budget and the majority of that funding is spent on salaries and pension contributions.

This in the context of demands for NHS services which has grown over the decades. One thing, however, that won’t happen in Scotland is to levy prescription charges, currently £9.90 per item in England. Good to remember this when standing in the queue for your prescription.