Harrier is an inspiration

Deareditor I was pleased to read about an old friend at Cambuslang Harriers, Barney Gough, winning double gold in the Masters M65 and I am glad that he is still showing other runners a clean pair of heels.

I have not seen Barney for some years but still recall that he was one amongst others who showed me immediate friendship when I joined the club in the mid-80s and taught an “old dumpling” like myself how to run well.

I always dreamed of finishing ahead of Barney in a race, but that dream never materialised.

I was also happy to read that Sandy Eaglesham is still winning medals.

I also understand that Dave Cooney is now president of the club, an honour well deserved for someone who has given so much for Cambuslang Harriers. Robert (Bobby) Brennan Machrie Road Castlemilk

NewAutumnClub sessiontogetunderway Burnside Autumn Club starts its 2017/18 session on Wednesday, October 4.

The club meets on Wednesday afternoons in Burnside Church Hall, Church Avenue, from 2-4pm and is open to all retired men and women in Burnside and the surrounding areas.

The programme comprises a variety of talks and music as well as time to chat over a cup of tea. Please come along and join us where you will be made very welcome. Betty Gardner Secretary Burnside Autumn Club

Carerpetitioncall I have created a petition on change.org campaigning for free/concessionary travel for carers that I would appreciate you getting behind and showing your support.

I was a carer from a young age to a family member who suffered a long fight with early onset dementia from the age of 48, epilepsy,diabetes and many other conditions.

I am also part of my local carers centre and have met many carers of all ages that all have had a huge impact on their lives from caring.

The proposal is that the government take the initiative to offer free/ concessionary transport for carers to allow them to better care.

This could be possible either through adapting the concession and companion card which currently allows the carer to travel with the cared for but not separately which in most cases is needed or through some form of add on to carers allowance for those in receipt of it.

Though preferably carers wouldn’t need to be in receipt of carers allowance as not every carer who could benefit from this travel are.

My petition has currently reached over 2,700 signatures and is being backed by my local council’s petition board in lobbying the Scottish Government to provide free/ concessionary transport for unpaid carers.

Some other supporters of my petition include; Alzheimers Scotland, Dementia Friends Scotland, Downs Heart Group, Women For Independence, The coalition of carers, Carers UK, ME Association, Enable Scotland and many MSP’s.

Any support you show would be truly appreciated.

Go to https://www.change.org/p/ concessionary-transport-for-all-carersthey-require-your-help. Amanda Macdonald via email

Viewsonparliament havechanged It was interesting to revisit my views about the Scottish Parliament of 20 years ago and how times have changed after being approached by the Reformer.

I have changed my opinion on the Scottish Parliament and now regard it as a force for good for the Scottish people.

It still has many faults but Scottish life has changed for the better as a result of its return.

My prediction that it may lead to the breakup of the UK came close in the 2014 independence referendum.

I also claimed in 1997 that there could be an increase to each family’s tax bill of £300 under a tartan tax. This was not to be, although the latest GERS figures prove that with the current deficit each Scottish family would be worse off by £7,600 in an independent Scotland. I truly believe we’ve had a lucky escape.

My own politics have changed. I am no longer a member of any political party. In 2011 after 35 years of being a member of the Tory Party, and following a well-publicised fall out, I resigned my membership.

I love not being aligned to any political party. If truth be told most party members disagree with at least some of their party’s policies. I love the freedom of being a floating voter. I now vote in favour of what I think is best for the constituency.

I was dismayed when the SNP took the Rutherglen seat in 2015. When I was born at home in Watson Avenue Rutherglen in 1959 we had a Tory MP, Richard Brooman-White. He was the last.

In all my adult life I had never voted for the winning MP. This was disappointing as I had been the Tory candidate in Rutherglen in two of those general elections.

It all changed this year though when I voted for the winning candidate, Ged Killen MP. I persuaded hundreds of my non-Labour friends and acquaintances to join me. The vote was close so I’d like to think I played my part in unseating the SNP from the constituency.

As an advocate of the United Kingdom I truly hope that the Union Flag continues to fly above our Royal Burgh town hall for many years to come. I also hope that Scotland remains part of the UK and that the Scottish Parliament continues to flourish in post-Brexit UK.

My Scottish Parliament predictions for the coming years: Labour will return to power in a minority government under Anas Sarwar at the next election and James Kelly MSP will win the Rutherglen seat back for Labour.

Willie Rennie and his Lib Dems will lose three of their seats and they will amalgamate with Labour or drop out of politics completely at the following election.

SNP will be the second party when the appetite for independence finally ceases. They will go through a succession of leaders when Nicola Sturgeon steps down after losing the next election and there will not be another independence referendum in the next 20 years.

The Tory Party will level out at about 20 seats. The independence threat has been central to their electoral success. The best of the bunch will survive and there are some excellent MSPs particularly amongst the new intake. Ruth Davidson will be unable to resist a nice safe seat in Westminster with a top ministerial role and Murdo Fraser will finally become the leader in Scotland.

UKIP will remain an irrelevance in post-Brexit Scotland.

I look forward to commenting on this article in the future but lets not leave it 20 years this time. Malcolm Macaskill via email