On 22 December I voted for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. I did so for three main reasons: 1) social justice is one of the key reasons I got involved in politics and I believe that this Bill proposes to make Scotland fairer for trans people; 2) I was elected on a manifesto...
Updates
Remembering the Past, Supporting Each Other and Looking to the Future (The Leither, Summer 2020)
There are a number of dates of importance to many Leithers. For instance, there’s 21 May 2016 for those who are Hibs fans! There’s the historically significant Leith Dockers’ strikes of 1913. And, of course, for those interested in Leith’s identity, there’s January 1920. It was then that Leith Town Council organised a Plebiscite...
Seeking re-selection to be the SNP’s candidate for the Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency for the May 2021 Scottish Parliament elections
For the avoidance of doubt, I announce that I have written to SNP Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency Association to confirm that I will be seeking to be selected again as the SNP’s candidate for the Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency for the May 2021 Scottish Parliament elections. It has been the greatest honour...
Recent Seafield Odours
As your local MSP, I have been very involved in the issues surrounding the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). I am aware of the recent ongoing issues and am very grateful to those of you who have reported odour in the community, using the Leith Links Community Council (LCCC) reporting form. Your complaint...
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020
As we head towards the end of Mental Health Awareness Week it is good to remember, especially during these difficult times, that it is okay not to be okay. With this in mind, here is a list of some organisations available to help, both nationally and locally in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. #KindnessMatters #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek...
COVID-19/Coronavirus
Because of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak and in line with official advice, my office has been closed to the public since 17 March until further notice. Please be assured that my team and I continue to assist constituents, are available to help as best we can, and can be contacted as normal by: Phone on:...
Challenge Poverty Week | #AyeWeCan
by Ben Macpherson Eradicating poverty and fighting for social justice are some of the central reasons why I got involved in politics. So how do we turn those ambitions into actions and make real change in our communities? As we recognise Challenge Poverty Week (October 1st-6th), I’d like to share a few thoughts about...
New Action to Tackle Child Poverty
by Ben Macpherson The long weeks of the school summer holidays are upon us and there’s even been some sunshine on Leith… Albeit some heavy rain too… For many families in our area, whether there’s sunshine or not, the school summer holidays are a happy period. They are often a time for a break...
When #IndyRefNew Happens
by Ben Macpherson What does the future hold? It’s a question we all think about once in a while, especially at key moments in our lives like before leaving school, starting a new job, settling down or moving to a new place. A degree of uncertainty in life is inevitable, sometimes important for moving...
Thinking What’s in Front and What’s Behind
by Ben Macpherson “Yesterday, we were your immigrants of today. Before us, there were others. There were always others, dear restless, many-hued Europe.” This line from Kapka Kassabova’s Love Letter to Europe is a powerful evocation of how wrong the Brexit process feels to most of us in Scotland. As many of you will...