St Joseph's Vandalism, local ambulances, foreign aid cuts, flooding in Clarkston and more...
“You only hear from politicians at election time!” That’s something I never want to be said about me. This is a newsletter from me, Blair McDougall, your local MP. You can subscribe below: I promise not to spam you and you can unsubscribe at any time.
St Joseph’s Vandalism
I’ve been contacted by parents and pupils from St Joseph’s Primary in Busby regarding sectarian vandalism at the school. I’ve been in touch, alongside Councillor Katie Pragnell, with the Council and the Police who are on the case. I’ve been reassured as patrols are being stepped up and CCTV tasked to the locations of concern. I was also pleased to join with the First Minister and Jackson Carlaw MSP at an event at the school to show unity against attempts to divide people in our community against each other.
Visiting the Local Ambulance Service
I visited the ambulance station that serves Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor. Firstly I was there to say thank you to the amazing staff who save so many lives and give such professional care to local patients. I also wanted to see how they could be helped to provide an even better service. It was clear that while they look after us so well, the government in Edinburgh hasn’t been looking after them so well. The staff badly need a new building, and more space to engage in training so they can keep up with the latest treatments and technologies. I’m now raising this with the health authorities.
Concern Over Government Aid Plans
Before I was elected I worked delivering aid programmes overseas. I have lived and worked in many very poor countries and in places torn apart by war, so I know how valuable our aid is in saving lives and securing freedom around the world. As local MP I now represent so many who work at the UK government’s aid HQ in East Kilbride. So I feel a duty to raise my concerns about proposed cuts to aid. I feel sympathy for the government’s predicament: after the very worrying behaviour of Donald Trump we can no longer rely on the US to secure our defence and so need to boost defence spending. However, as I wrote in the Scotsman, we cannot think of aid as being separate from our security: if we retreat, dictatorships will fill the vacuum around the world.
I’d also like to thank everyone from local schools and churches who came along to a Breaking Bread event at Busby Parish Church. It was gratifying to meet so many people concerned about the world’s poorest, our environment and our local community.
Flooding in Clarkston
I was contacted by residents of Moray Gardens after a stream suddenly appeared in their gardens. Councillor Katie Pragnell and I contacted the Council and they discovered that the source was a broken field drain, which appeared to fix the issue. However, after a few days when things dried up it appears that the problem has simply moved, so we’re getting back in touch with the authorities.
Prime Minister’s Questions: Standing Up Against Elon Musk’s Cuts
What else have I been up to?
I have tabled a bill on shrinkflation, where products become smaller without companies being honest about the change in their labelling. It was inspired by the shrinking size of Easter eggs!
I paid a visit to the Community Security Trust’s headquarters to see the essential work they do protecting the local Jewish community from racist attacks. I’m so grateful for the peace of mind they offer to local synagogues and Jewish organisations.
I shared Iftar at the mosques in Clarkston and Woodfarm, and was made so welcome. I hope everyone who celebrated Eid had a wonderful time with their families.
I have continued to represent local Hong Kongers and to stand up against Chinese communist party oppression here in the UK.
I joined Scotland Office Minster Kirsty McNeill to talk about the record rise in the Minimum Wage which has just come into effect.
I was able to thank local sports club volunteers for their amazing work in the community as the Labour government announced £100million for sports facilities.
Surgery Times
I hold daily, weekly, and monthly surgeries both on the internet (while I’m in Parliament mid-week) and all around East Ren when I’m home at the end of the week. Details are below. Email blair.mcdougall.mp@parliament.uk for an appointment.
