ONE thing we know about the Conservative Party is that they will do anything to cling onto power. This week saw the Conservatives do a welcome U-turn and acknowledge the need for a windfall tax to help people and families during the cost-of-living crisis. But let’s not kid ourselves as to the real reasons why they are doing it.
In an exclusive interview with The Herald on Sunday, legendary Scots actor and star of US hit show Succession, Brian Cox, talks to Barrie Cunning about his love of Scotland, Scottish politics, and how he wants to see the best for Scotland
GOVERNMENT is accountable to parliament and parliament is accountable to the people whether that be the UK parliament or the Scottish parliament. In its simplest form, this the basic social contract between the electorate and those that represent our interests in parliament.
IN the shadows of Ukraine, which understandably continues to be a key focal point for discussion and debate, two key events happened this week which should fill us all with pride. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were released from Iran and where finally reunited with their families in the UK.
ANOTHER week goes by where innocent men women and children are being subjected to the hostilities of war as a direct result of one man’s actions which are having profound implications across the world.
HISTORY shows us what happens if we don’t take adequate action against a tyrannical regime or dictator. It will almost certainly result in a humanitarian crisis and that is exactly what we are seeing in Ukraine. We know that unless Putin understands that the international community won’t tolerate his war in Ukraine, and potentially neighbouring countries, the situation will almost certainly get worse.
I attended the prestigious Labour Party rose network event in London this week which the majority of the shadow front bench attended.
This week talks about a potential conflict with Ukraine intensified as a number of countries spoke about taking a tough stance against Russia and its aggression towards Ukraine. This was amplified by a strong message from NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg who said: ‘If Russia once again invades Ukraine, they will pay a high price and we will continue to expose Russia’s plans and actions to make it harder for them to conduct aggressive actions against Ukraine.”
This week the SNP were caught between a rock and a hard place with regard to future arrangements around pension payments in the event that Scotland becomes independent with Ian Blackford MP, SNP Westminster Group leader, arguing that the UK Government would be obligated to continue to pay pension payments for those who had paid into the system.
ANOTHER week and another drama at the heart of British politics.
