Excited to be here in constituency
Since the publication of my last column, I have officially stepped down from my various roles within the Scottish Government and returned to the backbenches.
As I familiarise myself with my new circumstances, the most immediate and striking difference is the increased amount of time I now have to spend in my constituency.
During my time in government, I always went to great lengths to ensure that I was a visible and accessible presence in my constituency, and was proud of the local work I undertook.
However, it was a simple fact that my ministerial responsibilities and engagements often took up a considerable amount of time.
I can genuinely say that, in all my jobs in politics, the aspect of my role that I have cherished and enjoyed the most is being out and about in my local constituency.
To that end, I am hugely excited by the prospect of getting to spend more time travelling across Perthshire North and attending various events such as gala days, community meetings and coffee mornings.
Of course, I will also be undertaking serious work for my constituents. This week, for example, I will be hosting surgeries across the constituency at a dozen locations, ensuring that any constituents with issues can come and see me face-to-face.
I will also continue to visit with businesses, charities and community groups to see how I can support them and to learn more about the work they are doing within the constituency.
I have also enjoyed watching the Scottish Government’s new ministerial team under Humzayousaf hit the ground running.
I have been impressed by the new First Minister’s assured performances both at First Minister’s Questions and in his interviews with the media.
I am also pleased that in his first days in office he has demonstrated his commitment to tackling poverty and social justice.
In his first full week in the role, the First Minister announced £15m of funding to support free after school and holiday clubs across Scotland, £25m of funding to support the North East’s just transition and our efforts to achieve our climate change targets, as well as £1m of support for GP practices to help them tackle health inequalities.
This is a clear demonstration of the First Minister’s desire to build a stronger, fairer Scotland for all, and of the Scottish Government’s ongoing determination to do all that we can, with the limited powers at our disposal, to help the most vulnerable in society.
I am wholly supportive of these policy ambitions, and I look forward to supporting the First Minister from the backbenches.