The year’s end

As is becoming customary when the year draws to an end, it seems a good time to cast an eye back over the highs and lows of 2010 and to look ahead to what lies in store next year.

Without any doubt the biggest issue that has faced Scotland is the need to cope with the cuts that have been caused as a result of spending decisions in Westminster. These have been on a scale never before seen in Scotland and have been far more severe than was previously anticipated. With next to no control over the financial levers, the Scottish Government has no option but to find a way to make the cuts handed down to us. More than anything else, this situation has underlined the stark need for Scotland to gain the financial powers it needs to determine which services are essential and to find the most appropriate way to pay for them, rather than picking up the pieces after Westminster wields the axe. It is an issue that is more pressing than ever and will no doubt be one of the key issues in the coming Scottish Parliament elections.

One of the most significant pieces of legislation that was debated in Holyrood this year was without doubt the Alcohol bill. However, in many ways its significance lies with the measures that were removed from it rather than the legislation as it was eventually passed. The much publicised minimum price per unit for alcohol sales was called for by doctors, police officers, the licensed trade, and even Tesco and Tennants. It would have made a significant impact on Scotland’s damaging relationship with alcohol, which costs the Scottish economy £2.25 billion every year. Yet as a result of political manoeuvring, it was stripped out of the bill by opposition parties. I continue to believe that this was a grave mistake and it was a bitterly disappointing outcome for the many campaigners who had sought to improve Scotland’s health.

This year also saw the passage of the Housing Bill which brought an end to the right to buy for new council tenants. Without doubt the most common issues MSPs deal with is constituents having problems with council housing thanks to the chronic shortage that exists in Scotland. With new council houses being quickly sold at a discount, councils simply stopped building. The legislation that was passed will not affect the rights of existing tenants, but already we are seeing a new generation of council homes under construction in stark contrast to the mere 4 that the previous administration managed to build.

With the Holyrood election taking place in May, people across Scotland can expect that to dominate much of early 2011. The first ever term of SNP Government will come to an end and we will go to the people of Scotland to stand on our record and seek a mandate for a second term. I believe our record has been a strong one and I am looking forward to the contest ahead.

The end to the year and the fallout from the unprecedented amount of snow we have experienced would certainly not rank amongst the highlights of my year. Yet I have been deeply touched by the many messages of sympathy and support I have received and will be kept busy over the festive break responding to them.

Finally, let me take this chance to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year. I hope that 2011 proves to be a good year for everyone in Banff & Buchan.