Report to the People

New Year, New Rights

With the last few hours of 2007 ticking away, I hope your Hogmanay preparations are going well... (more)

Remember the Workers

Well, if you’re reading this, then I think congratulations are in order.   The presents are obviously wrapped, the fridge must be full and that Christmas night out with Simon from Human Resources and your particularly adventurous interpretation of the Lambada is a mercifully dim memory... (more)

To Your Future Health

When she announced the government’s health strategy in the Scottish Parliament last week, I told the Health Secretary that it certainly contains some laudable aspirations... (more)

Give it a Chance

Given our battles with various Health Boards and medical chiefs over the years, it’s no wonder our community views any “review” of our health services with suspicion... (more)

Justice Done

In a week dominated by politicians indulging their worst excesses, conforming to stereotype and demanding that everyone bar them resigns, some consensual politics were found in an unlikely quarter... (more)

Foul Play

As autumn turns to winter, the dark evenings and leaf-covered pavements mean that, if you don’t watch your step, you could well put your foot in dog mess which some bone-idle owner couldn’t be bothered cleaning up... (more)

A Honest Mistake?

Even when he was SNP leader, I always said that John Swinney was a decent man.  And I’m not about to change my tune now just because he’s the Finance Minister... (more)

A Great Deal of Democracy?

Just as money, and what you do with it, is the cause of more family arguments than anything else, so it is at the root of most political rows.   Last week, for example, there was a furious argument in the Scottish Parliament over the impending budget... (more)

Politics of Health

As an exponent of rough and tumble politics, I can’t honestly deny that politicians enjoy trading verbal blows and put-downs.  But, when the dust settles, politics can be a serious business which really changes lives... (more)

Paralysed by Politicians’ Pet Projects

If you were one of those who folded your Scottish Parliament ballot paper, or only used one of your two Scottish Parliament votes, or marked your council ballot paper with a cross, or stayed up until after 6 in the morning to find out who your MSP was, you don’t need me to tell you that the systems for casting and counting the votes in May’s elections were farcical... (more)

Close Asbestos Loophole

I have lost count of the number of times I’ve recounted the insurance industry’s latest dodge to try and deny asbestos victims the compensation to which they’re entitled.  And, while I have also reported the Scottish Parliament’s successes in changing the law and closing the legal loopholes, the companies and their lawyers won’t admit defeat... (more)

A Brave Tackle

Whether you see him as a hero or villain, you can’t deny that Neil Lennon is a very brave man.  To speak as frankly as he did last week about the depression which he has battled throughout his career took real guts... (more)

TXT THE CTTEE

Politicians are like light switches, not much use if you can’t reach them... (more)

Just the Job

The decline of our heavy industry took the work out of working class communities.  A generation of men, with skills no-one needed, were thrown onto the scrapheap and never brought home a wage packet again... (more)

Life Begins at 40

It’s wonderful when an iconic figure from the past returns, still holding all the grace, majesty and power which you remember.  But enough about Charlie Adam and his Champions’ League wonder-goal, the QE2 also cut an impressive figure when she returned to the Clyde last Thursday... (more)

Better Late Than Never

It is said that almost all political careers end in disappointment because, no matter what you want to change when you set out, you will inevitably become disheartened by how long it takes and how tortuous the system can be... (more)

The Light Programme

Eyebrows were raised last week when Alex Salmond announced he had found £100,000 to re-brand the Scottish Executive the Scottish Government. There were also mutterings when, a few days later, the First Minister (as he is still called) set out a very thin legislative programme... (more)

Culture Change

The violent murders across Britain, which seem to have filled our papers and screens on a daily basis this summer, make you wonder just how cheap human life is to some people... (more)

Knock Back the Door-knockers

The recent reports of bogus callers operating in Inverclyde remind us that, every year, householders across the country fall prey to door-to-door con men masquerading as professional builders... (more)

Elective Surgery

It is said that, when a politician dies, his famously unsentimental colleagues comment, “Poor chap.  Who’s replacing him?”.  And something similar happens when a politician resigns - only they don’t bother with the “poor chap” bit... (more)

Gone Fishing

It might not have been ideal weather for sunbathing or golfing, but at least this disappointing summer has offered plenty of good weather for fishing... (more)

Reversing the Charges

What is it about a certain individuals which makes them see vulnerable people as nothing more than an opportunity for a fast buck?  It seems that, whenever people who’ve had it tough may be entitled to a few pounds, the sharks start circling, determined to get a slice for themselves... (more)

The Shadow Children

It’s one of our more unattractive national traits, but we in Scotland have a tendency to sweep uncomfortable truths under the carpet... (more)

Power to the People

It might have taken him months, and he probably signed it through gritted teeth, but I have at last received an answer from the Communities Minister about the upcoming transfer of Inverclyde Council’s housing to River Clyde Homes... (more)

Healthy Partnership

If you’re still scanning the horizon for the arrival of summer, then I’m afraid that yesterday, apparently, was it... (more)

Committee Must Keep Key Issues on Agenda

In contrast to the more obscure matters which detain some Holyrood Committees, Local Government and Communities, of which I have been elected Convener, concerns itself with a raft of matters which directly affect you and your family... (more)

Play it Safe

Do you remember “Play it Safe”, where Jimmy Savile told youngsters how to enjoy their leisure time without falling from, getting stuck in, or being run over by, everyday hazards?... (more)

Fertile Ground for a Scandal

You do wonder what’s going on when, on the one hand, hardworking couples in a loving, stable relationship are being denied fertility treatment and, at the same time, public money is being spent to help bring children into the chaotic world of drug-addiction... (more)

Cancer Scare Lessons Must be Found and Learned

Most of us can only imagine the anxiety and distress to which the 198 women recalled for further breast cancer tests at the IRH have been subject... (more)

Scot Free

Do you remember the B movies we used to see at the Odeon or the Regal on Saturdays, where the hero kills the top vampire, zombie, or whatever only to see another one appearing in its place?... (more)

What Holiday?

With summer borders awaiting plants, ceilings needing painted and the rest of the DIY you started on Good Friday to finish, “holiday Monday” is an oxymoron for us poor men.  (And, to pre-empt any letters, I should of course also make it clear that women never have a day off and spend their bank holidays toiling far harder than men.  New curtains don’t just pick themselves, you know.)... (more)

Energetic Debate

Like running water, mobile phones and English football fans falling out with the police in Europe, electricity is something which today we take for granted... (more)

Uncharted Waters

Well, it might have taken a fortnight, but the Scottish Parliament has at last managed to appoint a new First Minister, who, in turn, has appointed his Executive... (more)

Vote of Confidence

It’s a phrase over-used by politicians, but it is a huge honour that you have again chosen me to represent you in Holyrood.  In the four years ahead, I will continue to do my utmost to make our community’s voice heard... (more)

2007 Scottish Parliament Election Campaign

Final Justice for Asbestos Victims

It’s a sad fact that former heavy industrial communities like ours are far too familiar with the legacy of asbestos.  And we are also far too familiar with the outrageous injustices which victims and their families face when they seek the compensation they deserve... (more)

Honest Justice

The crazy system of automatic release for serious offenders was in the dock in the Scottish Parliament last Thursday - and MSPs voted to lock it up and throw away the key... (more)

Shopworkers Have Families Too

To meet today's consumer demands, more and more people are working outside the traditional 9 to 5.  And for some, those with childcare or other commitments during the day, this might suit them... (more)

Food Tax Gets Bagged

It’s always a nice surprise when common sense prevails in politics (especially when the Liberals are involved).  But that’s exactly what happened last week at Holyrood... (more)

We Spoke, They Listened

As I’ve said before, there was a time, when we were campaigning, marching, and demonstrating against the unlamented Argyll and Clyde Health Board’s plans to destroy Inverclyde Royal Hospital, that I feared our hospital was living on borrowed time.  I certainly didn’t imagine that, just a few years later, health board chiefs would be overwhelmed by messages of public support for a set of proposals on the IRH’s future... (more)

Neds to get Fixed

What, I wonder, would happen if the bone-idle hooligans who spend so much time and energy delaying their appearances in court put the same amount of effort into doing something productive?... (more)

Prevention the Best Cure

It was announced earlier this month that the Scottish NHS budget has doubled since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999.  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s annual budget for next year is now up to nearly one and three quarter billion pounds... (more)

Transport Project Can’t Hit the Buffers

After years of, depending on your point of view, dogged progress or dithering, the new £20 million Gourock transport interchange project is finally moving forward.  Not only will the ambitious plan improve local transport links, it will boost our economy with the creation of leisure and business opportunities, 300 full-time jobs, a new marina, a hotel and new homes... (more)

January 2007

29th January 

Veto the Villains’ Vote

Because they i) don’t have much else to do and ii) often qualify for legal aid and so can make lawyers a tidy sum, prisoners who once sewed mailbags now while away the years suing the government... (more)

22nd January

Let Them Hear Your Voice

If you haven’t done so already, you have until 5pm next Friday to respond to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s consultation on its proposals for retaining services at Inverclyde Royal Hospital... (more)

15th January

Nuclear Waste

As someone who has, over almost 40 years, marched, sat-in and protested against everything from job losses, to threats to our hospital, to trouble at Morton, I’m firmly in favour of demonstrating on matters about which you feel strongly... (more)

8th January 

Happy New Year

The decorations have come down, your waist has gone out and your credit card bills have gone through the roof.  It must be the New Year right enough... (more)