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. 

We need to champion the local services that support us all

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 14 Apr

It’s with mixed emotions that I’m standing down as a councillor in May to focus on my role as a Green MSP.

Part of me will always feel rooted in the communities I’ve served as a councillor and the need to champion the local services that support us all.

Scotland Can Ban Fracking

Mark Ruskell MSP Thu 30 Mar

The Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse, today delivered a ministerial statement on Unconventional Oil and Gas.

The statement said nothing we didn’t already know. What remains clear is that the current moratorium on fracking in Scotland does not go far enough. The Scottish Government have so far refused to commit to a ban nor have they said whether they will go ahead with it.

For over three years Scottish Green MSPs have built the case against fracking in Parliament. We are now very close to winning this campaign and banning fracking for good.

Alloa rejects vile SDL

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 17 Mar

The sight of the Scottish Defence League on the streets of Alloa was a shameful betrayal by the tiny band of local thugs who invited them in. In contrast communities across Clacks should be proud of their response to the refugee crisis, welcoming families fleeing the most unimaginable suffering and heartbreak. Blaming the poverty in our own communities on those who have lost everything is a betrayal of our humanity and can only survive on ignorance.

We Must Make The Most of Tax Powers

Mark Ruskell MSP Wed 8 Mar

It was with mixed emotions that I spoke up at the final Stirling Council meeting last week. I’m standing down as Councillor for Dunblane & Bridge of Allan in May to focus on my role as your regional Green MSP. But part of me will always feel rooted in the communities I’ve served as a councillor and the need to champion the local services that support us all.

That need to protect frontline council services was top priority for Green MSPs as we approached the recent budget negotiations at Holyrood.

It's Time for Fair Funding for Councils

Mark Ruskell MSP Wed 15 Feb

This blog originally appeared in the Alloa Advertier's Political Stand column, published Wednesday 15th February

The news that Clackmannanshire Council is moving closer towards making 350 staff redundant is devastating.

For years local services have faced huge pressures as Westminster cuts to Scottish Government budgets have been handed down to councils. The Council Tax Freeze has then made it impossible for them to raise the income needed to protect frontline services from cuts.

UCG report could be tipping point to deliver a ban on fracking

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 12 Aug

We now know that the first shipment of shale gas produced by fracking is expected to arrive in Scotland very soon.

The sight of the so-called "dragon" fleet of ships docking in Scotland will no doubt get Ineos bosses pushing for fracking to begin in Scotland, but we are not going to allow that to happen. The Scottish Parliament reflected public concern that fracking offers too much risk for too little gain and the time for the Scottish Government to come off the fence has arrived.

On the pressures and strains facing local services in Stirling

Mark Ruskell MSP Thu 9 Jun

It's great to be back in the Scottish Parliament again as your regional MSP after nine years away and I've enjoyed throwing myself into the work in these first few weeks. I even got my old office back at Holyrood and will be looking for a local office too in the weeks ahead.

I’m also continuing in my role as Councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan until the next elections in May 2017, but will return my council salary which will hopefully go to a local charitable cause.

Cuts at councils, where education makes up 40 per cent of revenue budgets, are biting hard.

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 27 May

This week, over two days, Parliament debated "Taking Scotland Forward". For the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie opened our contribution to the debate, and Mark Ruskell closed. Read on to see what Mark had to say...