Scots speech to Holyrood shows diversity is vital
It was a pleasure and delight to have been in the chamber last week when Time for Reflections was led by the kenspeckle Billy Kay – writer, broadcaster and Scots language activist.
Billy’s address to the parliament – in Scots – was wonderful, an for the generations o us who’ve failed tae learn or be taught it, now is an awfy guid time tae stert!
For a wee four-minute speech, it provoked quite a reaction from a certain kind of commentator on Twitter.
I shared a link to it and, very quickly, the responses started coming in with people frothing at the mouth, aghast that one of Scotland’s languages should have been given a place in Scotland’s parliament.
The‘Scottish Cringe’was in overdrive and I feel truly sorry for those for whom any divergence from what they regard as‘normal’or‘proper’ is enough to induce frothing at the mouth.
Diversity is anathema to them but, as Billy said:“A nation whaur naebody’s excludit and awbody kens they belang – shuirly, thon’s weel worth bein yersel for.”
As I have said many times before, the food and drink industry is massively important to Scotland, to my constituency and to Strathearn.
I was disappointed, therefore, to learn that one of the sector’s greatest advocates over many years has announced his intention to step down as chief executive of Scottish Food and Drink.
James Withers has been a huge part of the phenomenal success of our brilliant food and drink industry.
I want to thank him for everything he has done and wish him well in whichever new pastures the future holds.
I don’t envy the task facing the board at Scottish Food and Drink as they seek a replacement – James Withers certainly leaves a big pair of shoes to fill.
We will soon know who have been the winners and losers in the local council elections and I think it is important to acknowledge the importance of the work that local councillors do, for scant reward and little praise.
Whoever is representing Strathearn after this week – and whichever party is in the administration on Perth and Kinross Council – they will be expected to work very hard indeed.
And I look forward to working alongside them to deliver the very best we can for the people of this area.
From emptying bins to running our schools, local councils have an immense impact on our daily lives and, for all that some might think that what goes on at Westminster, or at Holyrood, should not influence how we vote in council elections, the fact is that is very often the local council that has to implement the decisions taken nationally.
Whether it is about providing a safe sanctuary for refugees, or the creation of a National Care Service, it is our councils that will play a key role and our councillors who will make the decisions that make these policies a reality.
Some might say that national politics should be kept out of local councils.
But the reality is that it can’t.