Back in the fold after nasty cold
If only the sun would come out for a few days on the trot and we would all be the better for it.
I’m not holding my breath.
End of term
The Parliament rises for the elections in May on March 23.
This means that a great deal of time here is spent ensuing that legislation is completed before that date.
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Hide AdAs you may know I chair both the Justice Committee and the Policing Committee and for the Justice Committee it’ll be a necessary but hard push to get all the business through.
If it isn’t then the legislation falls, but that won’t happen.
As for cases up until that date, we can take on new cases, but after March 23, my office in Galashiels – because the office in Edinburgh ceases to exist – can only deal with matters already begun.
That’s just a bit of advance notice because I know it’s often difficult to follow.
Lottery
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Hide AdI was so delighted for lottery winners Carol and David Martin, from Hawick, particularly because they seem such lovely people and it’s good to see folk getting a break.
Me? I’ve never bought a ticket so I don’t need to fret each week as to whether I’ve won or not, but so long as it’s just a wee flutter and folk don’t rely on their ticket coming up and overspend, then nae harm and good luck to them.
Tough times ahead
Soon Scottish Borders Council and indeed the Scottish Government will be telling you and me what money they will have to provide services and which they will provide.
Now I feel a big collective sigh coming on from you when I mention the fact that the Scottish budget has been cut and cut big-time.
But it’s a fact.
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Hide AdGeorge Osborne’s (failing) plan to put the UK economy in the black is by means of cuts, cuts, cuts.
Now, of course, we must live within our means, but his plan simply isn’t working.
You can invest to grow an economy and that means more folk paying taxes and NI into our collective pot.
I recall the infrastructure and building programmes in the 1950s which created work for our ex-troops and was done when the GB economy, after years of war, was rocky.
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Hide AdHouses, roads and schools were built ... houses roads and schools which were needed and many are still in use today.
In Scotland today, our employment record is faring better than elsewhere in the UK.
Why? Because we are building those houses, roads, schools , bridges and indeed railway lines. Until the UK chancellor goes into reverse gear I fear for delivery of all those essential services upon which we rely despite the efforts of all those who work within them.
Ach, more winter blues.