Having been stookied up and stuck in the house all summer, it is a big relief to finally be getting out and about – even if it is in a wheelchair driven rather erratically by my long-suffering hubby!

Whilst I won’t be fully mobile for a while yet, I was delighted to manage along to Irvine for the crowning of the Queen and her four ‘Marys’ on Marymass Saturday. It was a stunningly beautiful day and I hope all the families enjoyed their Summer picnics out on the moor. Although I couldn’t take part in the parade, one advantage was that I was able to sit and watch all the stunning horse-drawn floats and carriages as they passed. It was another great occasion and I look forward to being back to full participation next year.

While I will still be in a moonboot and on crutches, I am heading to Westminster this week to try, with colleagues from almost all parties, to stop Boris Johnson driving the UK off a Brexit cliff edge on Hallowe’en. Ian Blackford MP, leader of the SNP Group at Westminster, has been in talks with other party leaders with the aim of passing legislation next week to force another extension to Article 50 and block a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. This has become even more urgent as Boris Johnson has announced he is planning to shut Parliament after the September 9, for five weeks, to exclude MPs from the Brexit process!

Despite the Brexiteers talking about the opportunities of Brexit, we are already experiencing some of the impacts: the drop in the value of the pound increasing imported food prices, businesses delaying investments, a 90 per cent drop in EU nurses coming to work in our healthcare services and a shortage of prescription medicines.

Last week, economists at Glasgow City Council published a paper warning that a no-deal Brexit could cost Glasgow’s economy £2.35bn and 38,000 jobs – which is just staggering. Just a fraction of this would take years to recover from and, if this was reflected across the country, would be catastrophic for workers and families.

Last week, I attended an information event in Ayr on EU Citizens Rights and the EU Settlement Scheme. The event, organised by the EU Citizens Rights Project Scotland, provided important information for EU citizens living in Scotland as to their rights post-Brexit and how to apply for the Settlement Scheme. Those who came along also heard from the Scottish Government’s Minister for Europe, Ben McPherson, who emphasized how important EU citizens are to Scotland, how much they are valued, and what support is available to help them achieve Settled Status.

The Scottish Government is now funding a support service through Citizens Advice Scotland, which can help vulnerable EU citizens who may struggle with the process, or provide advice via the national helpline on 0800 916 9847 (open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm). The deadline to apply is June 2021, if there is a deal, but moves to December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Despite the new Home Secretary reportedly wanting to end freedom of movement for EU citizens the day after Brexit, i.e. November 1, it is unlikely she can make any changes to the legislation which is already in place. However, it was clear at the meeting that her statements have created even more anxiety for EU citizens, especially those who may be travelling across Brexit date this autumn. My own hubby, who has lived and worked here for 33 years, will be visiting Germany for a family celebration across October 31 and we have no idea what it will be like at the airport on his return! It is shocking that, three years on from the vote, so many of our EU colleagues, friends and, in my case, loved ones are still living with so much uncertainty.

Placing Trident close to our largest city, squandering the oil money, illegal wars and now dragging us out of the EU against our will – yet again, Scotland will suffer from leaving our future in Westminster’s hands.