Window on Westminster December 2009
Opening of Restored Burns Cottage and Education Centre
Cathy Jamieson and I attended the official opening of the newly restored Burns Cottage and Education Centre at Alloway last weekend. I was most impressed with what has been achieved and look forward to the opening of the new Burns Museum next year. I was also pleased to see some of my former fellow Burns Trustees present. Along with them, I am proud to have played a part in helping secure the funding package from both the UK Government through the Heritage Lottery and the previous Labour led Scottish Government. The whole project now comes under the National Trust for Scotland as befits such an important part of our Scottish national heritage.
Boyle Court, Girvan
Congratulations to Sandra who does so much for the senior citizen residents at Boyle Court, Girvan. I was delighted to attend their recent St. Andrew's celebration and enjoyed a plate of homemade soup as part of a really lovely spread.
Council Closures
I met recently with the Council to discuss the closure of Girvan Pool, the Gaiety Theatre and Dalmilling Golf Course. My main concern was how plans would now be advanced for a new pool in the light of the SNP Government's rejection of funding. While I was told the Council would continue to look at this. I wasn't filled with optimism that they have a coherent plan in mind. It is all the more important that local people along with their elected representatives continue to press for this to remain high on the agenda – especially impressing this on those councillors in South Ayrshire who seem to have other priorities.
Scottish Army Benevolent Fund
I had a meeting in the Prime Minister's Office recently with representatives of the Scottish Army Benevolent Fund. There I heard directly from a brave young soldier who had been wounded while serving in Iraq. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Benevolent Fund makes substantial contributions to Combat Stress at Hollybush House in Ayrshire.
Moderator's Visit to Parliament
One of the high spots of my year is to welcome the Moderator of the Church of Scotland on his or her annual visit to the Houses of Parliament. Last week it was the turn of Right Rev William Hewitt. Mr Hewitt is currently a minister in Greenock. He was Kilmarnock born and served as an assistant minister at Castlehill in Ayr. After a church service in the Crypt at Westminster he had the opportunity to meet and talk to Scottish MPs.
PM announces International Conference on Afghanistan
Gordon Brown has called an important international conference in London on 28 January. President Karzai will face targets of providing 50,000 troops and barring corrupt provincial governors. Mr Brown made the announcement at the Commonwealth Conference in Trinidad alongside United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who will also be at the conference. They will be joined in London by Mr Karzai and representatives of the 43 nations making up NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
I fully agree that what we need is a political push to match the military push we're now agreeing to. Setting targets will enable control to be handed over to Afghan authorities and pave the way for British troops to return home.
Bank Charges
There was huge disappointment at the recent ruling of the new Supreme Court which overturned rulings in the High Court and Court of Appeal that bank charges were subject to fairness rules, under clause 6 of what's called the UTCCR regulations. However, it's now becoming clear the banks' victory isn't 100% clear cut. The decision was purely in relation to a very specific piece of law and the position being taken by the Office of Fair Trading. There may be other legal routes to getting the banks to refund excessive bank charges. If this is of concern to you, take a look at websites like Martyn Lewis' www.moneysavingexpert.com for more information.
Future Jobs Fund
I raised in Parliament last week the progress in securing local jobs for young unemployed in Ayrshire under the Government's Future Jobs Fund initiative. North and East Ayrshire Councils have been successful in securing around 500 jobs over the next 18 months while the Tory/SNP/Independent led South Ayrshire have got none so far. I asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what could be done to make sure young people right across Ayrshire could get the chance to benefit from this initiative which provides a properly paid job for six months.
More powers for Scottish Parliament
Talking about the Secretary of State for Scotland – Jim Murphy won plaudits from all sides for his statement to the House of Commons on Labour's White Paper setting out proposals for strengthening the Scottish Parliament. Based on the recommendations of the Calman Commission, these would give Scotland more powers over setting income tax, as well as new powers in areas such as airgun control, national speed limits and drink-drink alcohol limits. Under the proposals, Westminster would cut the UK rate of income tax by 10p in Scotland and would also make a corresponding cut in the block grant. This would require Holyrood to take decisions on income tax - imposing a Scottish rate of 10p if it wanted its budget to remain unchanged, or more if it wanted extra money.
Contrast these sensible proposals with Alex Salmond's White Paper on Independence and proposals for a £9m referendum asking Scots a question they have already answered – No to independence and Yes to a strong Scottish Parliament within the UK.
