Notable absentees

September 7th , 2009

The new session in the Scottish Parliament began this week and we got our first insight into what the government has planned for the next year.

As ever, it provoked a mixed reaction from people keen to get their own priorities on the agenda, some succeeding, others missing out.

Starting on a positive note, there are some bills here that are welcome opportunities to debate key issues for Scotland.

As the convenor of the Local Government Committee, I look forward to playing my part in the scrutiny of the housing bill, which aims to protect the availability of good social rented homes.

Other such as the alcohol bill, which seeks to introduce a minimum price for drink, and the controversial children’s hearing bill, will no doubt be fiercely disputed as they make their way through the Scottish Parliament.

There are other bills on the slate that are more controversial, the most notable being the referendum bill.

The SNP must know that they are on thin ground when they cannot even convince Margo MacDonald, the widely respected and veteran nationalist MSP, to support a bill seeking an independence referendum

Many would argue that there are more pressing issues to deal with than constitutional matters, such as knife crime and child protection.

There has been a groundswell in support for tough action on knife offenders while the horrific death of Dundee toddler Brandon Muir last year raised many questions about the standards of social work support.

Neither of these were addressed in the Scottish Government’s legislative programme, much to my own disappointment.

There was also a missed opportunity to adopt the Damages Bill, which seeks to ensure that victims of wrongful death are compensated properly.

Legislation tackling hospital superbugs and improving education were also notable in their absence.

Lots to be getting on with, but much more still to do.