Repatriation efforts to get UK citizens home at start of pandemic ‘slow and poorly co-ordinated’ A recent report by parliament’s cross-party Foreign Affairs Committee has slammed the Foreign Office’s repatriation initiative to bring UK citizens home at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, including many from Argyll & Bute, calling it slow and poorly co-ordinated. Years […]
Helping Harriet stay in the place she calls home
Helensburgh asylum seeker faces serious threat to life if she is deported Last Saturday afternoon I met up with Harriet Ndlovu and a few of her friends in Colquhoun Square. Originally from Zimbabwe, Harriet has made Helensburgh her home. Many local people will know Harriet personally or will have seen her around the town. […]
Tunnel must be given “serious consideration”
Long term fix must be found for Rest and Be Thankful so Argyll stays open for business On a visit to see the clean-up operation at the Rest and Be Thankful on Friday, Argyll & Bute MP Brendan O’Hara repeated his call for a long-term solution to be found. Thousands of tonnes of falling debris […]
Support for independence rises as UK government rules out Brexit extension
SNP debate calls for EU extension to avoid further economic damage This afternoon my SNP colleagues and I led an Opposition Day debate calling for the UK Government to rule out a Brexit power grab on the Scottish Parliament and extend the transition period so we don’t simply go from one economic crisis to another. […]
Urgent Question on resumption of UK arms sales to Saudi
Decision comes just a year after court rules government’s actions “unlawful” Last week the Foreign Secretary revealed a seemingly new, ethical dimension to UK foreign policy with the announcement of the Magnitsky Act which involves financial and other sanctions being imposed on anyone with “blood on their hands”. Yet, within 48 hours the Tory government […]
Decision to axe free TV licences for over 75’s is a disgrace
BBC put 77% of Argyll & Bute pensioners under added financial pressure It is disgraceful that the BBC has decided to end free TV licences for most over-75’s on August 1. The UK Government is responsible for the licence fee and this really is the most mean spirited of cuts. It is incredible that the […]
