Road works disruption is costly Saturday, 7 March, 2026 Last week I wrote about the rare pleasure of driving down a smooth, newly resurfaced Gilmore Place and wondered how long it would be before a utility company dug it up. It’s still intact, but further up the street where the Viewforth crossroads was resurfaced only a few months ago, there was Scotland Gas Networks burrowing away. And there has been more chaos at the Craiglockhart junction on... Opinions
War threatens energy security 6th March 2026 As the cost of living tops voters’ priorities as May’s election nears, the Middle East crisis once again shows how vulnerable energy prices are to factors... Opinions
Why I won’t be voting in favour of Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill 5th March 2026 My mum looked at me and I don’t think she was joking. “ I hope you’re not voting to kill me,” she said. No mum, when the Assisted Dying Bill comes up for its... Opinions
Our council tax cashback plan 28th February 2026 I was delighted to see Edinburgh Council’s Conservative group has produced a plan for the lowest Council Tax rise in Scotland, just 2.5 per cent, delivered by a... Opinions
Road repairs are still ‘pot luck’ 27th February 2026 Driving or cycling, most Edinburgh road users have their tales of close encounters with a pothole as our road surfaces continue to deteriorate. Damaged... Opinions
Painfully slow robotic surgery roll-out stretches waiting times 26th February 2026 If there was a way to start slashing the dreadful waiting lists many people are forced to endure in extreme discomfort or in some cases, fear, we’d expect the... Opinions
Recall and removal of MSPs 21st February 2026 As I promised in this column two weeks ago, I have tabled changes to proposed legislation which will ensure that any MSP jailed or given a community sentence... Opinions
Reform of FOI system is badly needed 20th February 2026 There is no doubt Scotland’s Freedom of Information system is wide open to unacceptable manipulation by public authorities, with procedural delays designed to... Opinions
First lesson of standards in public life – always tell the truth 19th February 2026 Earlier this month, I wrote about standards in public life and how the public set a high bar for elected members. But telling the truth isn’t a high bar but a... Opinions
Sue Webber MSP to seek automatic removal of MSPs convicted of serious crimes 18th February 2026 Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber is launching a bid to have any MSP sent to prison or given a Community payback order for a criminal offence to be... Holyrood News
