Welcoming new Prime Minister
I’ve offered my warmest congratulations to Rishi Sunak on his appointment as Prime Minister and I firmly believe he has the expertise and skills to deal with the significant challenges facing the country.
There is much to be done: ranging from the aftermath of the pandemic to the global commodity shortages which have contributed to the price rises which have put such a strain on household, third sector and business finances.
We need to bring stability to our economy and our public finances, deliver long-term prosperity for everyone in our country, and continue to sustain and strengthen the Union.
Here in Dumfries and Galloway amongst my personal priorities are seeing progress on some of the projects which could deliver so much to our communities.
On Tuesday evening, I was invited to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister and was pleased to be reappointed Secretary of State for Scotland.
I look forward to welcoming Rishi Sunak on his first visit as Prime Minister to Scotland and will certainly highlight to him the attractions and strengths of the south west.
Why we remain stronger together
It seems First Minister Nicola Sturgeon continues to spend millions of pounds of tax-payers’ money on her quest to split the United Kingdom.
Her recent ‘economic case for independence' statement, between the lines, illustrates why Scotland would, by far, have a sounder economy remaining within the UK.
Of particular interest locally was an admission that should an independent Scotland rejoin the EU, as the SNP propose, checks would be required on goods crossing at Gretna and along the borderline to and from our largest trading partner.
I never question the passion of those who vocally advocate splitting Scotland from the UK but I clearly do doubt their judgement.
Constituents express to me their frustration when, on various media, independence campaigners erroneously imply that they speak for all Scots. That is far from the case.
Now, as the world faces continuing Covid, Ukraine War and inflation concerns, it is certainly not a time for another destructive and divisive separation referendum.
Making our historic sites safe
I have raised with Historic Scotland concerns why so many of our region’s castles, abbeys and other places-of-interest in their care have been closed or had limited access for some months.
I was contacted by visitors and others involved in local tourism worried that disappointed guests chose to travel to other regions and the Lake District because of the limited access to local sites.
Restrictions continue to apply at a number of attractions in the west of the region including Cardoness Castle, Glenluce Abbey, St Ninan’s Cave and Whithorn Priory.
Historic Scotland’s operations director, Craig Mearns, has been in touch to explain that a prioritised programme of safety checks and repairs are underway in light of weather-related concerns about unstable masonry causing a danger to visitors and staff.
He assures me that the pro-active examination and, where necessary, repair work, are progressing well and urges those interested in our built heritage to check the Historic Scotland website for updates.
Take pride in buying a poppy
It was an honour to host the annual reception for Poppy Scotland at Dover House, the Whitehall home of the Scotland Office, last week when I was joined by representatives of the charity, veterans and a number of Scottish MPs.
I was also delighted to welcome the chairwoman of Poppy Scotland Helen Owen and my colleague Sarah Atherton, who is MP for Wrexham, also a junior Minister at the MoD and has also served in the forces.
As the country slowly returns to relative normality after the Covid pandemic, Poppy Scotland volunteer collectors and many shops and other outlets are progressing well in selling the three million poppies and thousands of wreaths made by disabled veterans at the charity’s factory at Edinburgh over the last year.
Recent history shows the importance of our armed services and the debt of gratitude we owe to veterans who have helped ensure our freedom. The Poppy collection and the vital welfare work of the Royal British Legion Scotland have never been more important.
Gathering at war memorials and services across Dumfries and Galloway and far beyond, I’m sure all of us will think of those who gave so much in the service of the country and to protect our way of life and values.
New chapter at book festival
I was pleased to learn how much this year’s Wigtown Book Festival achieved as it rebuilds after the pandemic and the other global challenges of the last couple of years.
Full marks go to the small organising team for producing such a varied programme which every year extends and evolves adding to the traditional and ever-popular events in Scotland’s Book Town.
An essential component, I’m told, was the enthusiastic army of volunteers, ages ranging from teenagers to some in their 80s, who, carried out a range of tasks such as stewarding and selling tickets. They made a huge contribution.
Whilst simply browsing through the book shops is a pleasure all year round, the large list of new books featured at the festival and talks by leading authors, in person or online, was much appreciated as was the big screen in the town centre park.
The welcome return of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, with its local roots; children’s events; history on show at Whithorn; a lecture dedicated to James Mirrlees, the economist who became Galloway’s first Nobel Prize winner in 1996 given by Astronomer Royal Professor Lord Martin Rees and popular tours of a 1950s Arctic explorer’s hut, are examples illustrating the variety that was on offer.
Literature of all types, from politics to science, poetry to children’s books and the use of three languages, Scots Gaelic, Scots and English were all part of this impressive package which saw a real buzz in the town throughout the 10 days.
There were challenges such as the aftermath of covid, high fuel costs and other transport difficulties but all-in-all the event made a significant contribution to the Wigtownshire economy. My congratulations to all involved.