Tag: Westminster
MP calls on UK Government to support research into ‘magic mushrooms’ treatment
Midlothian MP Owen Thompson has urged the UK Government to back research into the benefits of ‘magic mushrooms’ in tackling a “national crisis” caused by migraines.Mr Thompson told a parliamentary debate on access to...
Scottish Greens councillor bids for Westminster
East Lothian’s first Scottish Greens councillor is set to fight for a seat at Westminster in the upcoming general election.Shona McIntosh has been named as the Scottish Greens candidate tor the Lothian East seat.Shona,...
Deidre Brock MP leads debate on timebanking
Paying tribute to the work of the Leith Time Bank, the Edinburgh North and Leith MP says the neighbour support networks "really can change people's lives"Deidre Brock MP led a debate this week on...
SNP Chief Whip says “entirely unacceptable” pressure put on Speaker to avoid Labour rebellion
The House of Commons Speaker under fire after the SNP debate calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza is overshadowed by procedural rowsMidlothian MP Owen Thompson spoke of his disappointment at the "disgraceful scenes"...
Westminster Watch
A quick look at what Edinburgh's MPs were up to in the House of Commons last month.All eyes have been on Holyrood recently, what with the first SNP leadership contest in two decades and...
By-election likely as MP watchdog says Margaret Ferrier should be suspended from Commons for...
Margaret Ferrier MP should be suspended for 30 days for her breach of Covid rules in 2020, a Commons Standards Committee report into her conduct has concluded..If the recommendation is approved by a vote...
Home Secretary resigns and Shapps is back in cabinet
During an otherwise tumultuous day at Westminster the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, resigned after a meeting with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.This means that since Liz Truss became Prime Minister two...
Edinburgh MP asks Home Secretary to act over passport backlog
Christine Jardine MP for Edinburgh West has called on the Home Secretary Suella Braverman to address the alarming backlog of first-time passport applications.According to figures obtained by Ms Jardine's office in a...
Prime Minister lays out her plans to deal with energy costs
The new energy strategy announced by the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Liz Truss to parliament this morning will cap energy bills at £2,500 per year for an average household, a saving of about...
UK Budget on Wednesday – Finance Secretary calls for additional spending
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak calling for additional spending to support households and businesses who are facing a perfect storm of rising prices, reduced support and...
Boris appoints Lord McInnes as his new adviser
Lord McInnes of Kilwinning has been director of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, but is now leaving that position after 18 years to take up a new Special Adviser job in Downing Street....
Thompson wants financial support for excluded businesses and individuals
Midlothian MP, Owen Thompson, will urge the UK Government on Wednesday to finally deliver meaningful support to individuals and businesses who have found themselves excluded from financial support throughout the pandemic. Mr Thompson will...
Joanna Cherry removed from SNP front bench in reshuffle
Joanna Cherry QC MP has been 'sacked' by Ian Blackford MP and Westminster Leader as the Justice and Home Affairs spokesperson.Tommy Sheppard MP for Edinburgh East has been named the SNP's Shadow Spokesperson for...
Speaking to Owen Thompson MP
Speaking to Owen Thompson MP over Zoom for this interview, it was clear that one of the reasons he enjoyed working from home was spending much more time with his young daughter.He explained that...
Thompson leads debate on support for small limited companies
Owen Thompson MP is leading a debate in the House of Commons on Monday calling on the UK Government to provide greater parity in financial support for small limited company directors. The Midlothian MP...
Coronavirus – no extra funding for Scottish business from the Chancellor
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants of up to £9,000 for business in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors this morning.In the ordinary course of things, Scottish businesses...
Coronavirus – calls to close UK borders
Following the UK lockdown announced on Monday night by the Prime Minister, and the new lockdown which began at midnight on Monday in Scotland, there are calls for the UK to take further steps...
Sheppard speaks out on peerages
Tommy Sheppard MP for Edinburgh East is the SNP House of Lords spokesperson, and he has aired his view on the growth of the House of Lords in the last decade.The House of Lords...
Jardine wants to talk to Gove about Brexit
Christine Jardine, MP for Edinburgh West, has asked to take up the offer from Cabinet Minister, Michael Gove to discuss the potential economic impact of Brexit on Scotland’s economy and position within the UK. It...
Christmas tree goes up in Westminster
The UK Parliament's Christmas tree has taken its traditional place in the grounds of the Palace of Westminster.The tree which came from Northumberland’s Kielder Forest – was provided by Forestry England.Sir Lindsay Hoyle,...
Jardine queries Edinburgh’s Covid-19 status
Christine Jardine, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has called on The Scottish Government to publish evidence of why Edinburgh and the Lothians are remaining in Level Three to explain to communities why the...
Extension to furlough welcomed – but should go further
Following the Chancellor's announcement this morning that the UK Government furlough scheme will be extended until March, politicians have reacted in a variety of ways.Chancello, Rishi Sunak, said: “The furlough scheme was designed and...
Thompson demands rejection of UK Government’s ‘attack on devolution’
Owen Thompson MP called for Scottish politicians from all parties to reject the Internal Market Bill which he says will undermine decisions of the Scottish Parliament and the devolution settlement. Mr Thompson was speaking during the...
Edinburgh West MP demands action over whisky tariffs
Christine Jardine, the MP for Edinburgh West and the party's Treasury Spokesperson, has called on the Government to do more for the whisky industry in the face of the huge increase in US tariffs.It...
Midlothian MP criticises Prime Minister for refusing furlough extension
THOMPSON SLAMS PM FOR TELLING EVENTS SECTOR TO GET BACK INTO WORK Owen Thompson MP criticised the Prime Minister Boris Johnson today at Prime Minister's Questions for refusing to consider extending furlough support for the...
Ending of virtual parliament ‘could be contempt’
'UK Government in contempt of Parliament as virtual participation removed'Owen Thompson MP for Midlothian accused the UK Government of being in contempt of parliament by taking action to end remote participation during the Covid-19...
Disappointment over immigration rules change
The Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Christine Jardine, has heavily criticised the Government’s Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill, which received its second reading in the House of Commons earlier this week.The...
Coronavirus – The Prime Minister addresses the nation
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, delivered an address to the nation tonight, setting out the road map to recovery, which he says must be a bit more flexible,This sets out more in the...
Ian Murray appointed Shadow Scottish Secretary
Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South, has been offered the position as shadow Scottish secretary in Labour leader Keir Starmer's new Shadow Cabinet.Taking up the position he relinquished under former leader, Jeremy...
#GE2019 Bardell and Day both claim second terms at Westminster
The Scottish National Party (SNP) polled over 50,000 votes to win two constituencies in West Lothian.Hannah Bardell retained her Livingston seat with 25,617 votes leaving Conservative candidate Damian Timson 13, 435 votes behind. He...
