Continuing to put Scotland first
As I’m sure you can imagine, last week was another eventful one for me and I don’t think anyone who works in the political sphere could ever honestly say life is boring or any week is truly like the last.
My week in parliament, after enjoying the delights of the fantastic Paisley Food and Drink Festival, hit the ground running and began with the announcement that our First Minister, Humza Yousaf, was resigning.
Firstly, I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to Mr Yousaf for leading our country this past year – and for doing so with poise, fairness and respect for everyone.
Like myself, our First Minister has been involved in politics since he was young so I know being the leader of the only party in the country that stands up for everyone regardless of circumstances must be the honour of a lifetime.
But I look forward to continue working with Mr Yousaf as he continues to speak out for his community and do all he can to make our country the best place to live, work and grow.
As we look to the future, I’m excited to keep working towards the goal all of us in the SNP and Scottish Government share.
That is to free our nation from the shackles of an outdated and wholly unhelpful union, and to keep introducing forward thinking and genuinely helpful policies so all of our friends, families and constituents can continue to prosper.
And despite the petty politics of opposition parties that will no doubt begin to fill our news feeds and media channels, please let me assure everyone in Paisley that the SNP is determined to double down on delivering for people right across Scotland.
That is what we have done since assuming leadership in 2007 and it is certainly what we will continue to do now and in the future.
From initiatives like free prescriptions and further education, to the gamechanging Scottish Child Payment which has lifted over 100,000 children out of poverty; the SNP in government has a proven track record of success in doing what is best for Scotland and delivering for people right here in our town.
Just recently the Scottish Government announced a reallocation of £80 million towards the housing budget as part of a bold intervention to tackle homelessness and boost affordable housing.
If this isn’t evidence of our drive to ensure everyone can weather the current cost-of-living crisis as best as possible, then I don’t know what is.
Bold, decisive action to keep tackling the big issues has never been more urgent and it requires the genuine drive to bring about the best for our country that opposition parties have shown themselves to be incapable of, time and time again.
So in the coming weeks and months as we move into a new future with a new First Minister at the helm – and while opposition politicians no doubt clamour for the spotlight and ignore the real issues facing their communities – it is clear that only the SNP Scottish Government can be trusted to deliver and always put Scotland first.
People in Renfrewshire are being invited to an event exploring care and work postpandemic.
The Woven in Renfrewshire project will be bringing community performance and artworks to Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital on May 15 for its How is Care Working? event.
The artworks will feature interviews and quotes from carers and NHS staff.
Four artists have been developing the works to be displayed inspired by their conversations with the health professionals.
The afternoon will include a performance by Karen Herbison and community participants from the Star Project, interactive works from Audrey O’Brien and T.S Beall, and an audio/ video work from Kayleigh McGuinness.
Woven in Renfrewshire is led by Fablevision, a charity which provides workplace training to youngsters trying to make it in the creative industry.