‘A hopeless case': Jamie Bryson writes to DPP and Assembly Speaker over Nama trial issues
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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
We do not send SNP MPs to Westminster to enjoy themselves
I get the fact that the weekly commute from Fraserburgh to the Palace of Westminster cannot be fun – but it is part of what you sign up for when you apply for the job. I think I already knew that there are often a lot of tourists around [[Westminster]] together with crowds of protesters on the green in front of Big Ben. In my working life I visited London on a regular basis and have been in [[Westminster]] several times. READ MORE: Here's a three-point plan that can actually bring about independence Seamus goes on to inform us that he has an office and a small team to handle the casework, diary commitments and tasks that every MP must deliver for their constituents. No news there then. In addition he has a constituency office. I think all MPs probably have one. I am glad to learn he has excellent staff to support him. Finally, thankfully, at last, Seamus gets to the meat of the article and admits 'our primary political task is to bring an end to our involvement here when we secure the independence of Scotland and take our place among the nations of the world. It's something to remind myself every day as an antidote to the imperialist atmosphere within which we work.' I was, however, left waiting to learn what actual practical steps he is taking to help achieve this aim. READ MORE: Consultation launched on Jeremy Corbyn's new party Seamus claims that he spends most of his time 'speaking in the House of Commons chamber or [[Westminster]] Hall, attending lobbying meetings or the many daily information sessions on a dizzying array of topics; meeting business representatives or charities who want me to represent their interests; going on fact-finding visits or joining protest meetings to show support or joining with other MPs in organised all-party groups on topics important to my constituents'. This in itself is laudable, but no less than I would expect from any of the other 634 MPs. Seamus ends by saying: 'My hope is that the rest of my time in parliament will be as productive and as enjoyable as the year just past and that my team and I can contribute to bringing about the advent of our independence.' READ MORE: State pension age rises target the north of the UK disproportionately Sadly I have not voted SNP for more than 50 years for our – now much reduced – group of MPs to enjoy themselves in [[Westminster]], and frankly I am at a complete loss to see how their recent contributions can help to bring about our independence. They seem to have learned nothing from the results of the July 2024 General Election, which saw almost the entire [[SNP]] group sent homeward to think again. They had settled down instead of trying to settle up, and the electorate said – what's the point? I think I now need to take one of those damn tablets. Anne Laird Inverness MUCH as though I loathe what is happening in Gaza and echo the sentiment of the Daily Express exhortation to end the obscenity, I cannot accept the subheading 'It shames us all'. It does not shame me and all others of a like mind. It shames Starmer and his cabal of politically immoral sluts. It also shames those in the RAF who sanction the flights from Cyprus. David Lammy says information is not shared with the IDF so why then have more than 500 flights so far been launched? Surely it is now time for all MPs to fully state all parties with whom they associate under pain of extremely large fines and automatic prison sentence for any and all omissions. NEVER IN MY NAME. M Ross Aviemore
STV News
5 hours ago
- STV News
Scottish secretary to give Donald Trump 'warm welcome'
US President Donald Trump will get a 'warm welcome' from the UK Government when his plane lands in Scotland on Friday, according to Scottish secretary Ian Murray. During a four-day visit this weekend, Trump is expected to visit both of his golf courses in Scotland: Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the Scottish Government has said plans are also being made for him to meet First Minister John Swinney. Ahead of the anticipated visit, Murray told BBC Radio Scotland on Thursday that the UK will 'of course' extend a 'warm welcome' to the president. 'We would always have a warm welcome for the president of the United States,' Murray said on the radio. 'The office of the president of the United States and the office of the Prime Minister are ones that work very, very closely together, and should do, because it's in our national interest to do so. 'We should make sure those relationships are in place because it's important for our defence, our security, our economy – especially for jobs – and it's really, really important to the finer details of the US trade deal that's been done.' In 2019, Murray backed a motion in the House of Commons – alongside foreign secretary David Lammy and health secretary Wes Streeting – accusing the president of 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia'. Pressed on his support for the motion, Murray did not answer. He said the Scottish secretary has a 'duty' to welcome foreign dignitaries. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Trump will get ‘warm welcome' from UK Government during visit, says minister
The US president is expected to visit both his golf clubs north of the border – in Aberdeenshire and South Ayrshire – during the four-day visit. The PA news agency understands Mr Murray is expected to meet Mr Trump as his plane arrives in Scotland. The president is also expected to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney. The Scottish Secretary told BBC Radio Scotland the UK will extend a 'warm welcome' to the president, given the historic ties between the two countries. 'Of course it's a warm welcome,' he said. 'We would always have a warm welcome for the president of the United States. 'The office of the president of the United States and the office of the Prime Minister are ones that work very, very closely together, and should do, because it's in our national interest to do so. 'We should make sure those relationships are in place because it's important for our defence, our security, our economy – especially for jobs – and it's really, really important to the finer details of the US trade deal that's been done.' Mr Murray's comments come despite a 2019 motion in the House of Commons which he backed – along with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Health Secretary Wes Streeting – while in opposition which accused the president of 'misogynism, racism and xenophobia'. Pressed on his support for the motion, Mr Murray did not answer, instead focusing on the importance of the relationship between the two countries. Mr Murray said the Scottish Secretary has a 'duty' to welcome foreign dignitaries. Shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie accused Mr Murray of having 'no credible explanation' for his support of the motion. 'So let me help him: in 2019 he was shamelessly playing to the gallery like a student politician, whereas today he is a Government minister forced to get real and behave like a grown-up,' he added. 'I'm glad that Ian Murray has belatedly recognised how vital it is for Scotland to welcome, and work constructively with, the US president – but he'd have more credibility if he put his hands up and owned his past juvenile opportunism.' Protests are expected in parts of Scotland during the visit, with police expected to be stretched and requests for extra officers being issued to other forces in the UK. The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said policing will be 'seriously affected'. Mr Swinney said this week that Mr Trump's time in Scotland would not put policing in a 'detrimental position'.
