Blog

Our values are in the dock over the issue of dogs' tails

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 23 Jun

Gandhi once said that ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’

This quote has shone down the decades and even in times of bigger political questions, the needs of the smallest, voiceless creatures provide a reflection of our values and how we carry ourselves.

Since devolution there have been key moments where that reflection has taken place. The ban on fox hunting with dogs and the foot and mouth disease crisis caused us to think hard about our relationship and responsibilities to the animal world. 

Holyrood now has the power to begin to build a fairer system of helping disabled people

Alison Johnstone MSP Fri 9 Jun

Brexit and independence dominated the General Election campaign. Brexit deservedly so as it poses a huge risk to our social and environmental protections, our economy and public services, while the independence obsession of the pro-UK parties diverted attention from the Tories’ track record in office.
 
In particular, I’m disappointed there wasn’t more scrutiny of Westminster’s welfare reforms which have had a hugely negative impact on disabled people.
 

Amidst all the darkness is a light that never goes out

Ross Greer MSP Fri 26 May

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. It’s a line from the Gospel of John which I used in a recent address to a church who had invited me to discuss what I recently witnessed of the Mediterranean refugee crisis. It’s a line which goes beyond any and all faiths and is strikingly relevant this week.

Time to give all children in Scotland the same level of protection from assault as adults

John Finnie MSP Fri 19 May

I’m sure all of us want Scotland to be among the most progressive, socially just, and equal nations in the world. We all want our children to be happy, healthy and to give them the very best start in life. Yet in 2017, we still afford children less protection from assault than adults.

Scotland cannot be thought of as the best place in the world for children to grow up while our law gives children less protection from assault than everyone else. We know conclusively that permitting the physical punishment of children can be detrimental to children’s long term health and wellbeing.