IT HAS been just over a year since you elected me to represent Alloa and Grangemouth, and now is the perfect time to reflect on my first 12 months as a your MP.
I have not shied away from criticising my government as things have not always gone the true Labour way I believe in.
That said, there have been policies and decisions my government did get right, such as the Employment Rights Bill, which will positively transform thousands of lives across our area.
My government was also right to make good on Labour’s promise to reverse a historic injustice by transferring £1.5 billion to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, ensuring fair payouts for years to come.
It means that some 469 MPS members across Alloa and Grangemouth have seen their pensions boosted by 32 per cent.
Only a Labour government would do that.
However, there is more to be done as members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme – former management and people who used to be in technical, administrative, clerical and supervisory roles – still need to be treated equally.
The budget delivered last autumn represented the largest settlement for the Scottish Government in the history of devolution – a total of £47.7 billion in 2025-26, including an additional £3.4 billion through the Barnett Formula.
I said I would be holding the SNP to account over how they spend that money.
The truth is that we have seen years of financial mismanagement and chaos at Holyrood, but they can no longer simply blame Westminster as they have now been given the chance to improve the services that matter to people.
This funding must make its way to local authorities who are in desperate need – services must begin to improve rather than the constant cuts and erosion we have seen under the SNP for years.
One of the best things about being an MP is meeting the people you represent.
I have been in the constituency every week and it has been phenomenal to see what local groups and enthusiastic individuals do for our communities.
My office has also been busy resolving thousands of issues for constituents, and I have been hosting surgeries to hear first-hand some of the problems people face.
Down in Westminster, there have been disappointments too, unfortunately.
The biggest being the Grangemouth refinery, and I have been open in my criticism of both the UK and Scottish governments over this issue.
Latterly, I have been campaigning against the proposed welfare changes, because I believe that there is an alternative to cuts.
I have been advocating for an annual wealth tax of two per cent on those with assets of more than £10 million – raising £24 million per annum.
Equalising capital gains tax is another way forward – raising £12 billion a year.
As Labour, we should be holding our values of equality, fairness and social justice front and centre.
We should be redistributing power and wealth across society, lifting people out of poverty.
I will not stop campaigning and working to do that.
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