In sickness and in health, in level 1 or level 4, in success and defeat, can we not all be Scottish together?
My column for @thetimesscot
@TimesRadio @thetimes https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/no-need-to-brag-but-being-scottish-isnt-bad-082qf6nc0
Minister @MairiGougeon announces a licencing scene for grouse moors to be brought in before the five year recommendation in #werritty
Work on this will begin immediately
Self regulation is not working and further intervention is now required
Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle are at the Leith Walk Police Box on Sunday. They are assisting Syrian families who are settling in our area and have asked me to raise awareness of their event. #refugeeswelcome
Thank you Ben! We hope to see you there for some tasty food and drink !
Maamoul!!
In December, a local group are planning to 'Light Up Leith' by asking Leithers to decorate their windows and create a real-life Leith Advent calendar for the community to find and explore.
If you'd like to take part, join the Facebook group 'Light Up Leith' for more info or email them using the button on their website.
#lightupleith
blog.historicenvironment.scot/2020/11/leith-in-photos/
A Century of Leith in Photos | Historic Environment Scotland
blog.historicenvironment.scot
Featuring dockers, Hibees and elephants in libraries, we head into the archives to take a look at life in Leith during the 20th century.Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon warns over Christmas meetups
Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon warns over Christmas meetups
www.bbc.co.uk
The Scottish government will allow people to meet up at Christmas, but is also advising them not to do so.Just bloody stay at home, save your money, save your older relatives. Have a mega party on midsummer night.
I’m monitoring this situation and am grateful to the emergency services who are responding.
Live updates as huge fire breaks out in Leith after 'explosion' at docks
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
There are unconfirmed reports that a large-scale fire has broken out, with fire engines at the scene and black smoke seen for milesUpdate from Forth Ports Leith Docks: “there was a fire within the engine bay of a piece of plant in a storage yard at the Port of Leith earlier today. No-one was hurt. The fire is now out and we are grateful to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who responded quickly.”
Oh dear !
Maria Shishlovskaya
Abbie Carrasco Robertson Tracy Robertson Carrasco Cuellar
yep, cant see anything either from mine
Some of the big rolling stock have hefty engines containing a lot of oil and a heavy fuel capacity. Ouch!
No smoke visable from my flat now ,,1400hrs,, Had been smoke for a while Hope its under control ..Hope no one was hurt ,,
Glad it's under control.
Stevie more
A significant announcement about Forth Ports Leith Docks - what do you think about this investment in the port and in developing offshore renewable capacity?
Insider.co.uk article: www.insider.co.uk/news/seven-figure-investment-port-leith-23064456
Forth Ports press release: www.forthports.co.uk/latest-news/port-of-leith-announces-investment-in-scotlands-offshore-renewab....
Seven-figure investment in Port of Leith will enhance its renewables capability
www.insider.co.uk
The investment will bring 25 hectares of land linked to more than three kilometres of deep water quaysides into useThat is an excellent investment, particularly if it complements Dundee's development of offshore and/or renewables. What would be the icing on the cake would be if part of the Forth Ports development could/would be given over to the marine biologists and their counterparts to improve their standings and access. It would make cross-discipline discussions on the impacts of various technologies easier in the future. I'd also like to see part of Leith's shoreline *not* developed, but given over to local wildlife, so inclusion of wild space somewhere in all those hectares would be clever, particularly if it could link up existing wildlife rich spaces.
An uplifting moment in the Chamber today when fellow MSPs and I unanimously backed this Bill. Full credit to colleagues who took the legislation through Parliament. I was proud to vote for it.🌍 Scotland is leading the world with progressive policies.
🏴 The Scottish Parliament has just unanimously passed the Bill to end period poverty, making Scotland the first country in the world to provide free period products for all who need them.
Very proud 🏴
I think Monica Lennon who introduced the Bill and the coalition of campaigners and trade unions who fought for this deserve all the credit.
Well done Monica Lennon MSP for Central Scotland (Labour) for her tireless work and for convincing the SNP to support this
superb well done 👏
Glad you've changed you're tune! Wouldn't back the bill in Feb because of costs, suddenly proud to vote for it? Thanks Monica Lennon for introducing this bill and everyone who campaigned with her and Scottish Labour
Thanks to Labour MSP Monica Lennon for bringing this bill !
Keep up the good work. Greetings from Andalucia!
A great piece of dedicated work by Monica Lennon 👏🏼 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/24/scotland-becomes-first-nation-to-provide-free-period-prod...
At today's weekly update in The Scottish Parliament on The Scottish Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Strategic Framework, it was confirmed that the City of Edinburgh remains in Level 3.
More information is available here: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-3/. #staysafe
Was hoping we would go down to 2 but understand the caution here. Advice is being taken from experts and these decisions are not taken lightly. Caution now will hopefully save lives and allow us to get back to a semblance of normality sooner rather than later. It is unfair to blame Nicola, we are in this situation because of the virus. I suspect she would be criticised by large numbers of people, whatever she did, it's a no win situation!
Can someone clarify please i thought everyone is to keep in there own council areas unless for work or necessary travel.or can we travel to other areas if same tier ?thanks 😊
Be this isn’t about numbers in Edinburgh this is about keeping people out!!! Have you seen the quotes of people outside pubs buying take way snd sitting on benches up close. What’s the rationale for eateries not selling alcohol?
The trouble is that recently the figures for Edinburgh have stabilised - but stopped coming down. In particular the percentage one a week has not come down below 5%, which needs to happen before we come down a level. See yesterday’s paper. - www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2020/11/coronavirus-co...
Afraid she’s lost my support now!! Edinburgh is not a tier 3 and what’s the difference eating lunch out with alcohol??!!!
Beginning to feel put upon Ben, our numbers don't justify remaining in Level3......why bother publishing guidelines for each level if they're gonna be ignored for political expediency ?
I understand caution but still feel Edinburgh could have been moved to tier 2 today. I hope it will be moved on Tuesday next week as I haven't seen my family since July, it's getting more difficult to cope with the separation and uncertainty.
I've heard of several people at 2 or 3 degrees of separation testing positive in the past week. That's more than at any time throughout this pandemic. This virus is thriving yet. Keep the heid and keep your bubbles tight.
Edinburgh should be on level 2 already. Again, very much disappointed
Poor Nicola! People should use their common sense.
Thank you
Hi Ben , Can you explain this...... GOV.UK High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) Status of COVID-19 As of 19 March 2020, COVID-19 is no longer considered to be a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) in the UK. The 4 nations public health HCID group made an interim recommendation in January 2020 to classify COVID-19 as an HCID. This was based on consideration of the UK HCID criteria about the virus and the disease with information available during the early stages of the outbreak. Now that more is known about COVID-19, the public health bodies in the UK have reviewed the most up to date information about COVID-19 against the UK HCID criteria. They have determined that several features have now changed; in particular, more information is available about mortality rates (low overall), and there is now greater clinical awareness and a specific and sensitive laboratory test, the availability of which continues to increase. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) is also of the opinion that COVID-19 should no longer be classified as an HCID. Extract from Gov.UK
New kit and training to tackle digital exclusion.
Thousands of young people are being helped to develop valuable digital skills through The Scottish Government’s Connecting Scotland programme.
More than 23,000 iPads and Chromebooks are being distributed among digitally excluded low-income families and care leavers, as part of the latest phase of the £43 million programme.
Find out more: news.gov.scot/news/helping-families-get-online.
To mark #StAndrewsDay this year, reach out to friends, family and neighbours in 🏴 and beyond 🌍 as part of one million words of kindness by 30 Nov. #WeAreScotland
Download a free postcard designed by illustrator Emily Hogarth Designs and share with someone special: bit.ly/3pFS08p.
St Andrew’s Day is a notable opportunity to demonstrate that kindness is part of what makes us who we are as a country. We are open, welcoming, friendly, internationalist and inclusive, with compassion and respect at our core.
Sharing kindness and connecting with others has never been more important and our national day is an significant moment to celebrate the resilience, community spirit and shared kindness that has helped us all get through these difficult times.
We may not be able to get together physically on our national day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to look out for and recognise each other.
That's such a lovely idea!
SCOTTISH NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK OPENS FOR BUSINESS
The Scottish National Investment Bank will help us to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face together, as we decarbonise, transform and sustainably progress Scotland’s economy.
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and that’s why the bank will invest in firms and community projects working to tackle the global climate emergency.
Individuals and small local businesses across the country will benefit from this historic move, and help us reach our world-leading climate change targets. I look forward to seeing the bank’s here impact in Edinburgh and beyond.
Read more here: news.gov.scot/news/investing-in-scotlands-future-3.
A potentially helpful resource provided by Citizens Advice Scotland.Today we launch our Money Map resource tool
We want to help you to take action if you’re struggling with your finances
Check now to see if you can make your money go further 👉www.moneymap.scot
I sent email to them never ever got back any response 🤷♀️-not about money-
👇🏻He is the Tories’ candidate for Edinburgh Northern & #Leith at next year’s election.
For clarity, I haven’t left Edinburgh since March because of the rules when in place & because all this year I’ve been fully focused on serving the constituency & on my governmental responsibilities.
Edinburgh Tory councillor apologises for bending lockdown rules with trip to Canaries
www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com
A Conservative councillor in Edinburgh has apologised for a trip to the Canaries during the Covid-19 pandemic.I hope you HAVE left Edinburgh and come down to Leith sometime, Ben
I expect he'll be going to Barnard Castle next.
‘Bending’ lockdown rules?
Lmao. Aye Ben Macpherson MSP but did Margaret Ferrier MP for your party SNP also your own colleague not travel on a train to London while positive for COVID-19 🙄 putting everyone she was in contact with at risk. Pot and kettle here Bennie boy.
Tories seem to have that problem with rules
Huh
So you are critical of a Tory going on holiday to the Canaries (where you need to undertake a covid test and present a negative result on arrival) but you won’t call out fellow politicians like Margaret Ferrier who basically is an absolute fuckwit who’s actions put so many people at risk? Absolute pot kettle here. [Btw I’m an SNP member, vote SNP and live in your constituency but dear lord, please pick your battles carefully.]
I welcome the news that the Discovery Garden at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre will now be retained as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.
Good to have worked with Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council to raise local concerns with the Council. Thank you to all the constituents who raised this matter with me - I’m pleased to see that an outcome has been achieved that respects the wishes of the community and maintains this popular green space.
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven/news/article/76/trams-to-newhaven-redesign-secures-future-of...
Trams to Newhaven redesign secures future of the Discovery Garden – Trams to Newhaven
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Community members in Leith have welcomed news that the Discovery Garden at Ocean Terminal will be retained as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.What about the named trees then! Can’t the tram move around those as well!!!
Great news 🥰
I often walk past the garden and I seldom see anyone using it - but I'm delighted its being kept. And, incidentally, the picture with this post shows lawns along, and between, the tram rails... ? Now THAT would be amazing...😃
Brilliant news!!
Brilliant 👍
Welcomed news indeed but what about the 30 trees on ocean drive opposite stevendoor place that are still under threat
Good!
Information on the Culture Collective Fund - applicants should submit an Expression of Interest by 5pm, Wednesday 18 November 2020.
www.creativescotland.com/funding/funding-programmes/culture-collective
www.creativescotland.com
A fund to support a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities."GAME-CHANGER” SCOTTISH CHILD PAYMENT OPENS EARLY FOR APPLICATIONS - ELIGIBLE FAMILIES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
The new Scottish Child Payment - which has been described as a “game-changer” in the fight to tackle child poverty - opens early for applications.
I encourage parents and carers in Edinburgh Northern and Leith who are eligible to apply now so that The Scottish Government can process and start making payments as quickly as possible, once the benefit starts in February next year.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) Government has prioritised the early introduction of this new benefit, which will provide an extra £10 per week for each child to eligible families on low incomes with a child or children under 6.
Latest figures estimate that 194,000 children aged under-6 in Scotland will be eligible for the new Scottish Child Payment - with 17,500 children set to benefit in Edinburgh.
Please apply online here: www.mygov.scot/benefits/.
Wish there was support for children who have had a parent die and now left with one to try support as a lone parent.
Meaad Abdu Ahmed Mohamed
Kirsty Barker
Growing the Young Person’s Guarantee
First organisations sign up.
The first organisations to back the Young Person’s Guarantee have been announced by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP.
In a collective effort to help young people, The Scottish Government has been joined by SSE, Capgemini, NHS Lothian and Standard Life Aberdeen in making the commitment to ensure everyone aged from 16 to 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training.
The Guarantee, backed by an additional £60 million investment, aims to give all young people in Scotland the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Organisations backing the Guarantee make five pledges to help young people at this critical time:
- prepare young people for the world of work through work experience, volunteering and work-based learning opportunities
engage with and provide opportunities to young people who face barriers to work
- create work-based learning, training and upskilling opportunities for young people
- create jobs and opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, paid internships and work experience
- create an inclusive workplace to support learning and enable young people to meet their potential
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“The pandemic is having a disproportionate economic effect on our young people, reducing job opportunities just as they are starting out on their careers. I am delighted to be launching the Young Person’s Guarantee today to help ensure their prospects are not permanently damaged
“I want to thank the early trailblazers who have backed our ambitious initiative and recognise the importance of supporting our young people.
“The leadership of employers from across Scotland and from all sectors will be key in providing the opportunities that will make this Guarantee a success. This employer leadership will build on our strong track record of tackling youth unemployment through our industry led Youth Employment Strategy – Developing the Young Workforce.
“We are encouraging employers to come forward and join what is a crucial intervention to ensure that we capture the potential of our young people and prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) leaving a lasting impact on the employment opportunities of our future workforce.
“I want Scotland’s young people to know we are right behind you, we want you to be successful and we will do everything we can to give you the opportunities you need.”
Sandy Begbie, who helped to design the Edinburgh Guarantee, said:
“In the spring, I was delighted to be asked to develop a strategy to establish a Young Person Guarantee for all 16 to 24-year-olds in Scotland. The ambition is clear, I want every young person who is unemployed to be given an opportunity of a job, apprenticeship, education, training or volunteering. I strongly believe we must act now and decisively. Our young people are an asset and a credit to Scotland.”
Background:
Further information is available at the Young Persons Guarantee website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/youngpersonsguarantee.
The Young Person’s Guarantee was one of the main recommendations of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.
The £60 million Young Person’s Guarantee is part of a total of £100 million for employment support and training announced by the Scottish Government to tackle employment challenges. £10 million of this will be used to support a range of measures to recruit and retain apprentices.
🏴 The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure being undertaken in the UK.
🗓 The Scottish Government has brought delivery forward by almost 2 years for families with a child under 6, to counter the impact of Covid.
💻 Apply from 9th Nov at mygov.scot/benefits or call 0800 182 2222.
A useful tool for checking what the restrictions are where you are: www.gov.scot/check-local-covid-level/.
Check COVID restrictions by protection level in areas of Scotland - gov.scot
www.gov.scot
Use the postcode checker to find a local COVID protection level. The protection level tells you what you can and cannot do.Scotland must have certainty on full access to furlough
Hi Ben we have been calling and emailing Steven Paton is a chef His company have decided it is not worth them opening at this time How does he fair with furlough payment Does he get paid ay 80% during this time
Photos from John Swinney MSP's post
They’re trying to close us down. What is the Scottish government doing about it?
From Monday, Edinburgh will be in Level 3. But if we all keep doing our bit to supress the virus locally then hopefully we can move down to Level 2 soon.
Please see this link for what Level 3 means: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-3/.
Take care, look out for each other and please do get in touch if you require assistance. #persevere
Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels - gov.scot
www.gov.scot
Find out the COVID protection level for each local area and get information on what you can and cannot do at each level.Stay safe 👍 stay strong 👍 choose life 👍
The Scottish Government has set a new ambition to increase offshore wind capacity to 11 gigawatts (GW) of energy installed by 2030 – enough to power more than eight million homes!
news.gov.scot/news/increased-offshore-wind-ambition-by-2030
But will any of the work to build the turbines be done in Scotland?
Have your say on the The City of Edinburgh Council's proposals for redeveloping the Granton Waterfront: consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/granton-waterfront-western-villages/.
The Council owns around 120 acres of developable land within the Granton Waterfront area, creating a unique opportunity to work with key partners and the local residents to deliver an exemplar regeneration. Previous failed attempts to develop Granton highlight the importance of a joined up approach. A Pre Planning Application Consultation Live Q&A digital event with project team will also be held Tuesday 3rd November 2020, 3pm - 6pm.
Will Picken
Alan Munro
Michael Given
Shared to our page
Scottish government again wasting money in order to pocket some of it themselves...at a time when their purposely gambling with peoples jobs&mental health...typical SNP behaviour ..
Since becoming an MSP, my absolute focus has been on serving Edinburgh Northern and Leith and making Scotland a fairer, better place. And this year my team and I have been doing all that we can to help in the coronavirus crisis. Because we prioritise this work, rather than publicity, I rarely send out press releases or seek media coverage. Therefore, I was grateful to be asked unexpectedly to discuss The Scottish Government’s digital agenda in the latest edition of Holyrood magazine and for the chance to say a bit about my journey, my background and my family’s history of activism - advocating social justice, peace, vegetarianism & independence ~100 years ago. You can read the article here: www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,catching-the-wave-interview-with-ben-macpherson.
Thoroughly enjoyed the article, Ben.
I love the fact the digital strategy is being built on an ethical foundation - too many people and orgs get carried away with financial projections. Fab article!
Great article! A really interesting read Ben!
Myself & Johnny Clason were just reminiscing about going back to your parents after school for a vegetarian dinner! 😉😄👌
Keep up the good work
As your constituency MSP and an ex-Bar Manager, I fully appreciate the challenges that the new Covid-19 restrictions bring for Edinburgh Northern and Leith’s remarkable hospitality businesses.⚓️ I know it’s a difficult time and I really empathise with owners, staff and suppliers.❤️ My office and I have worked flat out over the last 48 hours to respond as quickly as possible to enquiries, and provide assistance.📞💻 The Scottish Government has also acted rapidly to provide financial support, and as a Minister I’ve been involved in that too.💷🏴 Details of grants and employment support are below.⬇️ Keep safe everybody.😷 Lastly, you may wish to consider helping local businesses, if you can, by ordering takeaway from your favourite places🥡🍕🥯🧁🥤...
#persevere #staysafe #stickwithit #SupportLocalBusiness #shoplocal #heretohelp
*** Information on business support ***
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has outlined details of a £40 million fund to help businesses affected by temporary restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The COVID-19 Restrictions Fund will provide one-off grants of up to £3,000, depending on rateable value, to bars, restaurants and other businesses required to close by regulations.
A hardship fund with grants of up to £1,500 will support some businesses that remain open but are directly impacted by the restrictions, including those in the direct supply chains of firms that must close from tonight.
In addition, up to £9 million of funding will help with the costs of re-furloughing staff by supporting the 20% salary contribution required by the UK Government.
A discretionary fund of up to £11 million will help businesses that need support but don’t fall into the above categories. This will, for example, support soft play centres that have been unable to re-open this month.
The plan has been developed following discussions with business groups, trades unions and local authorities.
www.gov.scot/news/protecting-jobs-and-businesses/
Freelancers in the fitness industry like my wife are suffering from yo yo lockdowns. How will they survive this?
Your office answered a query from me within 2 hours, thank you!
Dad John Pearson Deborah Pearson This is the msp of your bar area
Additional spending powers and funding for councils.
A package of financial flexibilities and extra funding for councils which could be worth up to £750 million has been agreed by the Scottish Government in partnership with COSLA.
To address the financial pressures caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic over the next two years, councils will be granted additional spending powers which could be worth around £600 million.
In addition to this, a Lost Income Scheme will be established to help compensate councils and council trusts for lost sales, fees and charges from services such as sports centres and parking charges.
Councils and their trusts will have access to an estimated £90 million of funding with council trusts delivering services on behalf of councils able to receive a share of a further £49 million of support through the scheme.
Added to additional funding already committed, this brings the value of the overall COVID-19 support package for councils to more than £1 billion.
www.gov.scot/news/supporting-local-government-recovery/
Supporting local government recovery - gov.scot
www.gov.scot
Additional spending powers and funding for councils.1 week left to respond to this consultation on an issue that's important here in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. #haveyoursay
Keep up the great work 💪🏻
First Minister statement on new temporary coronavirus measures
Ruining a country instead of running it.
Duncan Reid Thanks for your reply. It must be a very tough decision for the First Minister to have to make and she is following advice of medical experts and following strategies of several other major European countries., as she should. Giving people the information to make the right decision has been tried, and the reason the numbers are on the rise again is due to a lot of people completely disregarding safety advice. If you’re looking for someone to blame them blame the idiots having house parties, refusing to wear masks or wash their hands! I’m not a fan of just letting this virus run it’s course, too many people will die. There are vaccines for flu. Obesity and alcoholism are diseases that can be fought with education, will power and treatments. Depression, I fear will only get worse due to the effects of the necessary measures in place. I am a small business owner and have suffered greatly due to restrictions but I’ll put health over money any day. Sadly, we are going to take a big economical hit. I’m sure our First minister doesn’t take these decisions lightly. She’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. I just pray a vaccine will be found soon.
I have produced this Community Update, which is currently going out across Edinburgh Northern & Leith, as a reminder that my team & I are #Heretohelp. Please do get in touch if you think I can be of assistance. Kind regards & stay safe, Ben
(Thank you to the Out of Hand Scotland team for delivering this safely & professionally.)
Got mine, big thank you to a member of your staff who answered a query of mine so quickly.
I admire Ben for his commitment to his constituents. He will always have my vote
Haven't received one - hope to see one.
Nor have I received one.
😊
👍❤️
Humbled and grateful that I’ve now been confirmed as Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, for the Scottish Parliament election next year. Thank you to local members for your incredible support. It’s been an immense privilege to represent our area and I hope to have the honour to serve again.
Since being elected as the first SNP MSP for our constituency in 2016, I have worked tirelessly and with passion to serve all of our diverse communities. I have played a leading role in resolving significant issues in the constituency, like preventing the threatened eviction of Lorne Community Association residents and championing the successful Save Leith Walk campaign. I have also led on tackling motorbike crime in the north of the city, securing investment in the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works, improving management of the Water of Leith Basins, seeking funding to refurbish Trinity Academy’s campus, supporting community services in Pilton and Granton, and pushing for action to better regulate short-term letting - and, working with others, I have achieved meaningful progress on these and many other important matters.
Furthermore, my team and I have helped thousands of individual constituents and I have supported numerous local organisations and businesses in a multitude of ways.
In Holyrood, as your local MSP, I have been proud to help build a fairer, outward-looking, more progressive Scotland - first as a backbencher and then serving as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development and now as Minister for Public Finance and Migration. For example, in the last 4.5 years I have helped to take through the Social Security (Scotland) Act, manage the financial response to the Covid-19 crisis, build links in Europe for independence and support EU citizens.
There is much more to do in many ways and this will be a crucial election. Building on my solid record locally and my effective contribution nationally, I am determined to continue to provide our area with the strongest representation, build a fairer society, tackle climate change and deliver independence (in Europe). And I look forward to the campaign ahead. #Persevere ⚓️❤️🌱🏴🇪🇺
Until then, particularly in these challenging times, my team and I will continue to do all we can to help constituents. Please do get in touch if you need assistance or have queries about coronavirus. #staysafe 😷
#ReElectBen 🗳 #VoteSNP
All the best Ben as always you can depend on my vote 🏴
Congratulations Ben xxx
Onwards and upwards! 🙂
Richly deserved, well done Ben.
Congratulations Ben. Xx
Cool ,, Only the best for Leith ..
Dont know who I will vote at the next Scottish Elections
Good luck Ben.
Best MSP imo
Excellent, Ben! ⭐️
Great news Ben! Keep on!
Congrats from Sevilla
Congratulations!
Really impressed with your staff, e mailed a query to your e mail this morning and got an almost instant clear and concise reply answering my query!
Congrats 🏴🏴
Congratulations!🏴❤️🏴
I'm very glad to see Leith Theatre secure this support funding from The Scottish Government's Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund through Creative Scotland.⚓️ #persevere
Joyce Monaghan
I'm pleased to confirm that I have been notified by the SNP National Secretary that I am the sole nominee to be the Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, for the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.
SNP Edinburgh North & Leith (Leith SNP, Leith Walk SNP & Forth SNP) members who live in the constituency will have received an email for them to confirm my candidacy via an electronic ballot. If you are an SNP member living in Edinburgh Northern and Leith, please check your email and vote to confirm my candidacy (which, on receipt of the requisite number of confirmation votes, will be confirmed on 30 September).
I'd be grateful if local SNP members could message me or comment below to confirm you have voted. Many thanks all - looking forward to the campaign!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 and privilege of my life to represent my home area in the Scottish Parliament since 2016, and to serve in the Scottish Government as a Minister since 2018.
Since being elected as the first SNP MSP for the constituency, I have worked tirelessly and with passion to serve all of the diverse communities of Edinburgh Northern and Leith. I have played a leading role in resolving significant issues in the constituency, like the terrible threatened eviction of Lorne Street residents and the inspiring and successful Save Leith Walk campaign. I have also led on challenging issues like tackling motorbike crime in the north of the city, securing investment in the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works, arranging effective management of the Water of Leith Basins, working to bring more affordable housing to our area, and pushing for action to better regulate short-term letting - and, working with others, I am proud to have achieved meaningful progress on these and many other issues. My team and I have also helped thousands of individual constituents and I have supported numerous local organisations and businesses in a multitude of ways.
In Holyrood I have been proud to help build a fairer, internationalist, more progressive Scotland, at first as a backbencher and then serving as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development and now as Minister for Public Finance and Migration.
There is more to do in many, many ways and this will be a crucial election at a difficult time because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis and Brexit. Therefore, building on my experience locally and my contribution nationally, I am putting my name forward again to the SNP as a prospective parliamentary candidate to contest the 2021 election, and to seek re-election to serve the people of Edinburgh Northern and Leith with strength, dedication and determination for another term - committed to continuing to contribute as much as I can to building a fairer society, to tackling climate change, and to securing a positive future for Scotland as an independent, successful, European country.
SNP Edinburgh North & Leith Leith SNP Leith Walk SNP Forth SNP
Good luck Ben!
Goes without saying.....You’d get my vote if I were in your constituency. Good luck!
Fully supportive and voted for you yesterday Ben. Michael
If I had a vote in your area. There would be no doubt Ben. Good luck 🤘🙌👍
Good luck Ben, I am sure your job is far from finished.
Voted for you and best wishes
Voted for you last night..
Done 🙂 🙂
Delighted to have voted for you yesterday. Great work at Seafield. Are our waste water treatment plants ambitious enough in engineering terms to help protect the Oceans from pumping back out our flushed plastics, antibiotics, endocrine disruptors, anti depressants, as well as microfibres from washing all the plastic clothes? Scotland has the engineers - does it have the will to invest away from fossil fuels/ plastics and towards a healthy environment? We need laws to make plastic nurdle pollution from our major manufacturers a major environmental offence, that they pay for and clean up after. Volunteers like myself are sick of being laughed at by amoral profiteers who have taken far more of their fair share of our taxes, our futures and the resources of this fragile earth.
Well done Ben, richly deserved. Good luck to you.
I’ve voted 👍
you got my vote last night ben, good luck in your well deserved nomination, and hopefully, our independence.
Done ✅
Congratulations and Best wishes!!
Good luck Ben, we all know you did a great job so far.
You have got my vote, keep up the good work!
You got my vote Ben!
I didn't get an email Ben?
Congratulations and best wishes I am sure you are and will be the best MSP for the people of Scotland 🏴
Done .
Bravíssimo 👏🏼👏🏼🤩
Congratulations. All the best wishes from Rocksalt team. 🙌👏
Done
WONDERFUL NEWS
Huge Congratulations and all the best.
Covid-19 update from Nicola Sturgeon today in The Scottish Parliament:
🍻 From Friday, 10 pm curfew on pubs and restaurants.
💻 Work from home if you can.
🏠 From tomorrow, visiting other households indoors will not permitted but please start now. Exemptions for those living alone, in extended households, couples in non-cohabiting relationships, informal childcare provision and tradespeople.
👧 Children under 12 exempt from outdoor restrictions - no limits on play outside.
🧑🦰 Young people aged 12-18 exempt from 2 household limit (outdoors), and able to meet others outdoors (up to 6 people).
🚗 No car sharing.
🛒 Package of support for those asked to self isolate - including food deliveries and financial support.
😷 Remember FACTS.
🏴 For more information please check The Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/news/new-measures-to-drive-down-infection-rate/.
❓ As ever, my team and I are here to assist constituents: ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot.Though it doesn’t feel like this now, this pandemic will pass. It won’t last forever and one day, hopefully soon, we will be looking back on it, not living through it.
🙏 Be strong, be kind and stay safe.
Can we plz have clarity on what extended households are ? Does this mean close family or not ?
Can we have clarity on the rules for children under 12 indoors please as this was not made clear this afternoon. Are children under 12 allowed to mix indoors as well as outdoors?
6 years since #indyref & the case for independence has only got stronger - for internationalism, for social justice & for building a greener, wellbeing economy. The warmest welcome to all moving from #NoToYes - we keep looking outwards & we #persevere. #getready #keeptheheid 🏴🇪🇺
6 years, eh? Feels like a generation ago. 😜
No to yes.
Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan will break the UK union
Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan will break the UK union
www.ft.com
The insistence that England must decide what Scotland eats is a gift to the independence movementI hope Nicola has something up her sleeve because they will be up 1 January taking control.
Here’s hoping 🙏
Every cloud.
Recently the Scottish Government launched a consultation ahead of the Scottish Budget for 2021-22, focusing on the role devolved taxes and the Fiscal Framework can play in our Covid-19 economic recovery.
We would be pleased to hear from you and hope you consider taking part in the consultation, which will close on Thursday 8th October.
More information is available here: consult.gov.scot/financial-strategy/budget-2021-22-supporting-covid-19-recovery/.
Budget 2021/22: Supporting the COVID-19 Recovery - Scottish Government - Citizen Space
consult.gov.scot
Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish Government