New portrait of Margo unveiled at Holyrood
painting by Scottish artist Gerard Burns which he has gifted to the Holyrood parliament confirm that overhead wires were indeed installed at wrong heights, that bridges were built too low to meet basic safety standards?
“Can he tell us exactly how this was allowed to happen and when will the Edinburghglasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) finally be completed?”
The Labour MSP continued: “Passengers have had to endure a summer of disruption on Scotland’s railways.
“We’ve seen the Queen Street tunnel closure, major delays on the Borders Railway and other routes, 12 days of industrial action over staff safety concerns and now EGIP is delayed and over-budget.
“Passengers have been very patient but that patience has been put to the limit and I would say to the government A portrait honouring Margo Macdonald’s 40-year contribution to politics has been unveiled at the Scottish Parliament.
The politician, who died aged 70 in 2014, was a key figure in the Scottish independence movement, having served as an MP, MSP and deputy leader of the SNP.
Her husband Jim Sillars has gifted the painting by Scottish artist Gerard Burns to Holyrood.
Ms Macdonald’s good friend Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame revealed the work in the members’ restaurant, where Ms Macdonald often held court. Her entertaining and popular presence is missed by friends across the political divide.
Ms Grahame said: “I am delighted that her dedication to the Parliament is being honoured with this portrait. Her sheer passion for politics and for the causes she championed will always be remembered, as will her dynamic, colourful and compassionate nature. This portrait is a way of showing future members and visitors to the Parliament just what she meant to us all.”
The portrait depicts Ms Macdonald, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, inside the Parliament’s debating chamber, where she spent many years as an independent MSP for the Lothians tackling issues including attempts to legalise assisted suicide for the terminally-ill.