News and Blog Posts

The violence, intimidation and disorder seen in and around Glasgow are completely unacceptable. I wholeheartedly condemn hostility and aggression which try to divide our communities. Thanks to Police Scotland for their work dealing with the unrest and for protecting the public. Many people are finding life difficult and some find it hard to see a bright future for themselves and their families. As politicians, we must be here to listen to the problems people are facing. The L

I had the pleasure of being shown round by Dr Caroline Sokhi, who owns and runs the care home with her husband and daughter Dr Kishan Aldridge. I was impressed not only by the high standard of care, but also by the warm welcome I received from residents who live their lives to the full here. We are joined in the picture by Emma, who makes sure there is never a dull moment in the house!

On Sunday I joined residents, volunteers and families at Whitegates Park Community Gathering. The park is a valued green space between Kirkintilloch and Lenzie, rich in nature and mature native deciduous trees, an ideal place to walk dogs and for families to enjoy the outdoors safely. It was good to hear the views about the future of Whitegates Park direct from the community who use it.

It was great to join the Ahmadiyya Muslims Women's Association last weekend for their Eid celebration. Lovely to meet the team and join in their celebration and to hear about how it fits into their religious calendar.

I asked the Secretary of State, Douglas Alexander, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government to tackle illegal vape shops, mini-marts and barbers that continue to suffocate legitimate high-street businesses.

I was pleased to join my Liberal Democrat colleagues on Monday to announce our new energy policy. The policy will give all households a basic allowance of energy at a discounted price. Those with the greatest need would save an average of £140 a year, with the majority of households saving around £100. I am proud to support a policy with fairness at its heart

It was interesting to meet with Post Office to discuss the impact that bank branch closures have had on local communities, particularly in Mid Dunbartonshire with the closure of almost all of our local branches. I would encourage the government to work with Post Office to provide in-person banking services in local post offices.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, a chance to think about how we look after one another and to remind anyone who is struggling that they are not alone. Exposure to harmful content online can be particularly damaging for young people's mental health. That is why, along with my Liberal Democrat colleagues, I voted against the government's delay in bringing forward legislation to protect our young people online.

It was great to visit the Babcock site in Rosyth with Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The Babcock site is important to the Scottish economy while playing a vital role in our national security. Babcock International provides highly skilled local jobs and training apprenticeships, helping to fill the skills gap in Scotland and revive our tradition of ship-building skills.

I recently met with the Heat and Building Business Council (HBBC) to discuss the challenge of scaling clean heat and retrofit in homes and communities across Scotland, a theme I raised in my recent Westminster Hall debate on Scotland’s contribution to energy security and net zero. In my capacity as MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, I shall continue to push for cost-effective policies that deliver healthier homes, reduce fuel poverty, and support the transition to clean heat in Scotl

I would like to extend my congratulations to Elements Restaurant in Bearsden after being named 'Best Newcomer' at the Scottish Excellence Awards. Head Chef Gary Townsend was also recognised as a finalist for Chef of the Year alongside some of the most respected chefs in the industry.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of speaking at the Regional Peace Conference in Edinburgh. This was a great opportunity to bring together individuals committed to the cause of peace from across religious, civic, academic, charitable, and community organisations, alongside other parliamentarians.

I was delighted to meet with the University of Glasgow Principal and Vice Principal at a cross party event to hear about the opportunity for developing the centre for educational excellence.

The Government’s national insurance hikes are suffocating business across Mid Dunbartonshire. On Monday the Liberal Democrats voted to reduce employers' national insurance contribution for high-street businesses across the UK.

Last week in Westminster I questioned the Minister of State for Energy over Scotland's nuclear capacity. The Liberal Democrats believe that a mixture of energy sources is required to phase out fossil fuel reliance, nuclear energy has an important role to play in future energy security.

At Liberal Democrat Spring Conference I had the chance to meet with the Young Liberals. It was great to hear of the work they are doing to promote Liberal values amongst young people across the UK.

So good to meet up with GRACE in Auchinairn Community Centre and hear the views of the Chief Executive Robert Smith. He raised his concern with me that too much government funding for communities is not dispersed to community groups like GRACE who can show the positive impact the help and support they deliver day in and day out helps health and wellbeing and prevents costs for the council and NHS Scotland.

This week in Westminster I spoke on the vote on assisted dying held in Holyrood on Wednesday. I believe that people should be able to control the end of their life in the same way they have been able to control the rest of their life.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to harmful content through social media algorithms. As a Liberal Democrat I would urge the Government to introduce age ratings for social media platforms. Hundreds of residents have contacted me about their concerns around the harms our children and young people are experiencing as a result of social media deliberately designed to be addictive. The Liberal Democrats and I are pushing the Government to act quickly, and we want to see

As part of Brain Tumour Awareness Month I met with Brain Tumour Research and The Brain Tumour Charity to discuss what more can be done to treat brain tumours and support families affected by them.