“Old-fashioned incompetence” at fault for £250m ferry shambles
Commenting on this morning’s Rural Economy and Connectivity committee evidence session on Ferguson shipyard, which heard from the CMAL chief executive that the cost of the two ferries under construction there could eventually hit £250m, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles said:
Read moreSNP, Conservatives, Labour and Greens reject efforts to protect against predatory politicians
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has today expressed dismay after SNP, Conservative, Labour and Green MSPs voted against elected representatives being subject to a PVG check before they can be alone with children and vulnerable people.
Read moreCouncils short-changed by SNP local finance deal
Commenting on the passage of today’s Local Governance Finance Order, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:
Read moreChronic pain patients facing “agonising” long waits for treatment
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today criticised the government for putting chronic pain patients through “agonising” long waits for treatment, after new statistics showed hundreds of patients waited more than six months to get help.
Read moreCarmichael writes to Chancellor on red diesel duty concerns
Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has written to the Chancellor to ask for clarification over concerns that this week’s Budget will raise duty rates on red diesel, impacting farmers, crofters and other industries. Red diesel is used in tractors, bulldozers, forklifts, cranes, combine harvesters and generators. The fuel attracts a duty of 11.1p a litre compared with 57.7p for standard diesel used by motorists and hauliers.
Read moreFreeman facing serious allegations over NHS Lothian crisis
Responding to comments made by the former chairman of NHS Lothian Brian Houston, criticising the behaviour of Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:
Read moreSNP should focus on keeping people safe and healthy, not independence
Responding to the comments from SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford in which he said that the SNP is focusing all of its efforts on securing a second independence vote this year, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said:
Read moreLib Dem proposals to subject politicians to PVGs to be put to committee vote
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has lodged a series of amendments to the Disclosure (Scotland) Bill which would require all elected members in Scotland to undergo a PVG check before they can spend time unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults, safeguarding against exploitative or predatory behaviour.
Read moreBillions wasted to cover up Tory Brexit mess
Responding to a National Audit Office (NAO) report which found that by 31 January 2020 departments had spent at least £4.4 billion of the £6.3 billion allocated for Brexit preparations, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said:
Read moreSturgeon should order SNP MPs off Putin’s propaganda channel
Commenting on Kenny Macaskill MP appearing on the Alex Salmond Show this morning, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:
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