No matter what way the recent Westminster election results are spun, the clear fact is that Theresa May has lost her majority in the House of Commons. Despite repeatedly insisting she would not do so, the Prime Minister called a snap election to secure a mandate for her extreme Brexit plans – only to lose her majority. The election result was a comprehensive rejection of the Tory plans for a hard Brexit – and I believe that at the very least single market membership must now be back on the table.

There is no doubt that Clackmannanshire has lost a strong voice in Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh as their MP. Week after week she stood up in the House of Commons to hold the UK Government to account on the issues that were impacting adversely on local people such as benefit sanctions and unfair changes to tax credits like the two child cap. It's now up to our new MP, Luke Graham, to pick up from where Tasmina left off and ensure the most disadvantaged in our communities have a voice when and where it matters. Luke has pledged to put party politics aside and put the interests of local people first and I look forward to working with him, as I have with his predecessors, to that end.

Since the Brexit vote, the SNP has been entirely consistent in putting Scotland's interests, jobs and our economy front and centre. This is why we have called for a short pause in the negotiations for leaving the EU so that a new four nation group can be put together that recognises the outcome of the election and the rejection of a hard Brexit position It is vital that we now build a cross-party, all government approach to leaving the EU that will protect all of our interests at this highly uncertain time and I hope that our new MP also supports this position.

I am currently working in partnership with The Gate and Councillor Ellen Forson again this year to deliver a School Uniform Bank and Exchange in Clackmannanshire. Last year this project provided hundreds of children in Clackmannanshire with school uniforms and equipment and I am sure we will help many families this year who may be finding it difficult to cover the cost of a new school uniform. It's an unfortunate sign of the times that we have to put initiatives like this in place but while the Tory Government continues to turn its back on the damage they are causing by a continued austerity agenda, I am more than willing to support projects like the Uniform Bank.

The Gate are currently accepting donations of good quality used or new school clothing, blazers, jackets, school bags, lunch boxes, pencil cases, stationery, footwear and ties for all ages from nursery to high school. Donations can also be made at Tesco on 15th and 16th July. The Uniform Bank will be open to the public at The Gate, from Monday 24th to Friday 28th July 2-4pm. For more information, please call 01259 218766.

I was delighted to join residents and staff at the Orchard Care Centre in Tullibody on Friday for National Care Home Open Day. This year's event aimed to get as many people as possible to get together in an act of friendship to encourage communities to connect to help prevent isolation amongst those who may be living alone. I'd like to congratulate the staff of the Orchard for pulling together such a fantastic event which was enjoyed by residents, their families and the local community.