Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland: Home Affairs, Justice, Northern Ireland. Promoted by the Scottish Liberal Democrats, 4 Clifton Terrace, EH12 5DR
Apr 29, 2024 • 13 tweets • 4 min read
The end of Mr Yousaf's time in office seems all but certain this morning, so @TheScotsman piece from Friday already feels quite out of date - and yet the underlying point still applies to the SNP in Holyrood (and indeed to the Tories UK-wide). Thread: 1/
scotsman.com/news/opinion/c…
After all, between an unelected leader with poor political instincts, conflicts with an increasingly fractious party, and self-inflicted crises which overwhelm every attempt at a reset, you might be forgiven for asking whether we were talking about Rishi Sunak or Humza Yousaf. 2/
Oct 12, 2023 • 22 tweets • 4 min read
Despite the violence, a two-state solution must remain the ultimate goal if peace is to be achieved - and defending the rights of Palestinians is a very different thing to defending Hamas terrorism. A thread: 1/
scotsman.com/news/opinion/c…
I have never been a great lover of music festivals. I am a little too fond of my creature comforts to be attracted to events like Glastonbury or, back in the day, T in the Park. I do, however, have two twenty-something sons who are fonder of these things than I am. 2/
Mar 21, 2023 • 19 tweets • 6 min read
Writing in the @pressjournal on the legacy of the invasion of Iraq 20 years on. Just a day after the anniversary media discussions have moved swiftly on, but it is worth reflecting on how that war still influences our country and our world today. Thread:
pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/opinion/552…@pressjournal In recognising that anniversary, I had cause to look over my words in parliament from that time. As it happens I am now the only MP from the Highlands and islands who spoke in those debates still in post. You can find my main speech below.
We are expecting a statement today on the government's new "Bill of Rights" legislation - which seems a good time to review my article from last week on government suggestions about leaving the ECHR and the harm this would cause. Thread: 1/
politicshome.com/thehouse/artic…
The Bill of Rights is ironically named given its effect is to repeal the Human Rights Act and undermine UK adherence to the European Convention on Human Rights. One suspects that some jiggery-pokery is about when the plan is to gut the ECHR without "technically" leaving it. 2/
Jun 5, 2022 • 26 tweets • 7 min read
ICYMI: My piece in @TheScotsman on Friday about the SNP's latest wild swing from left to right, giving up on solidarity and abandoning the pretence of being a progressive party on economic issues. Thread to follow: 1/
scotsman.com/news/opinion/c…@TheScotsman This time last week saw @KirstySNP speak out against the idea that "Scotland is having to pay for the entirety of the UK" due to the new windfall tax on oil and gas profits, suggesting instead that all the money raised should go to Scots. 2/
Many thanks to those who have shared and given positive comments on my piece in @TheScotsman, on @Ianblackford_MP and @theSNP's contortions over pensions these past days - and what it says about their vision of our shared political community. Thread: 1/
scotsman.com/news/opinion/c…
You will not make many friends amongst either the SNP or the Conservatives if you point out the similarities between the two, but this week has been a reminder of their kinship in more ways than one. 2/
Nov 18, 2020 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
We may not agree on everything but this is a worthwhile addition to the constitutional debate by former PM Gordon Brown. We need a government (and a Prime Minister) that takes these issues seriously. The future of the United Kingdom (and Scotland) will depend on it.
GB talks about need to fight regional inequality in England. Would add that just as more devolution is needed in England, devolving power in Scotland cannot start and end in Holyrood. SNP have failed time and again to empower regions of Scotland over hoarding power in Edinburgh.
