Brighter times to come in 2021
I don’t think many would disagree with the assessment that 2020 was a dismal year for most of us.
The COVID pandemic has had a huge impact on our lives, whether we were directly affected by the virus or not, and the devastating economic consequences will be with us for years to come.
As we start 2021, there is already better news to mark the turning of the year.
Firstly, it was wonderful to hear that the Oxford/ AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID has been approved for use, with the first doses to be given this week. Already the UK has ordered 100 million doses, aiming to have the entire population vaccinated either with this or with the Pfizer-BioNtech jab.
Delivering this project is a major logistical operation which will take many months, but it offers us hope that we can finally turn the tide against this devastating virus, and start to rebuild our economy and protect jobs and household incomes.
The second piece of good news came on Christmas Eve with the prime minister’s announcement that a Brexit deal had been struck with the EU. This is very welcome to Scottish business and exporters – including Perthshire livestock farmers – who will have tariff-free access to European markets from now on. It delivers on the outcome of the 2016 referendum whilst maintaining a close trading relationship with the EU.
The alternative to this deal was to crash out of the EU without a deal, which would have been devastating for our economy.
It was astonishing, therefore, to see SNP MPs and MSPs voting in both Westminster and Holyrood last week against the deal – a vote which could have meant a no-deal Brexit.
This was a deeply irresponsible stance which would have done untold damage to Perthshire food producers and exporters.
Fortunately, the reckless SNP stance, motivated by their obsession with breaking up the UK, was outweighed by Conservative votes in the House of Commons, and we have now left the EU with a good deal.
There was yet more good news just before Christmas with the long-awaited announcement that the Stone of Destiny will return to Perth to form the centrepiece of a new exhibition in the refurbished city halls.
For decades I have been calling for the return of the stone to its spiritual home, and I am delighted that this is finally happening.
Credit must be paid to all at Perth and Kinross Council, Lord Kinnoull, John Bullough, and everyone else involved who made this happen, building a strong case for relocation of the stone.
There is now a great opportunity to capitalise on this news to regenerate Perth city centre.
Like all traditional retail locations, Perth has taken a battering this year, and a new attraction right in the centre of the city to bring people in is exactly what is required to turn things around.
With all that good news around, may I wish you and yours a happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.