Decisions, Decisions..

There have been two important decisions this week - both of historic significance.

The first is that of the Scottish Parliament as we successfully passed through the Government’s Climate Change Bill. After months of scrutiny as a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee I welcomed the bill completing its Parliamentary process.

The new Climate Change Bill demonstrates international leadership on climate action and takes bold steps in response to robust scientific assessment. The landmark legislation commits Scotland to becoming a net-zero society by 2045 - tougher than a net-zero target that commits only to balancing carbon dioxide emissions and the toughest statutory target of any country in the world for this date. The bill sets out ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030. We have already halved greenhouse gas emissions from Scotland while growing the economy, so I know we can do it. Scotland is committed to meeting the most ambitious targets possible and doing so while continuing to build an inclusive and fair economy.

I have particularly enjoyed working together with my Conservative colleague John Scott who has given wise counsel throughout the legislative process. We both have a mutual agreement that agriculture will provide an important part of the solution rather being the major problem that many have suggested. Farming will change and forestry is a part of the process of wider change will be key to our success as a nation.

John Scott and I have been particularly concerned about the way that the international greenhouse gas inventory works in relation to agriculture. Farming and agriculture are essential when considering our approach and I believe that the inventory is very unfair in reflecting the cost and benefit of agriculture, because it does not attribute to agriculture things such as forestry and renewable energy.

My final thought on this bill is that I have been inspired by Greta Thunberg and the millions of young activists around the world. When I cast my vote last week, I was thinking of her and her young companions who have led the way in being the change they want to see. I will be gone before it all matters, but for them - they have to inherit a world that is worth inheriting.

Legal Eagles on the Hunt

The second, and unanimous, decision is of course the conclusion of the case against the Prime Minister in the UK’s highest court. I was struck by the ruling in London this week, particularly that the judges went so far as actually to quash the prorogation of Parliament.

Lady Hale, a state educated female directed the UK Prime Minister on what proper legal behaviour is. Rooted in a working class family Lady Hale reminded the Eton educated Prime Minister that Parliament is not there to serve Boris Johnson, but rather he is there to serve the Parliament and the citizens. The judgement sends a strong message of democratic outrage to the Tory Government and provides a reminder that you can’t bypass democracy.