I'D like to start with a note of thanks. I’m grateful to everyone who got in touch with me regarding the emotive and difficult topic of assisted dying.
I am very grateful to everyone who has written to or emailed me to share their views, each one in a positive and dignified way.
While the debate was often difficult, it was always respectful, and I am happy to have been part of it. I know some will be disappointed, others relieved. It will undoubtedly be an issue to return to future parliaments.
There is, of course, an election happening soon. Politics is unstable and unpredictable at the best of times, and right now it feels especially volatile. The next parliament will look different to this one.
I am proud of what I’ve achieved as one of your MSPs for West Scotland. It’s been a real honour to have had this job – and I’m not done yet.
I’ve spoken up loudly on our ferries, on the NHS and education. I’ve called out the Scottish Government’s lack of long-term thinking and the scandalous trend of golden hellos and goodbyes in the public sector.
I’ve helped deliver legislation to protect and prioritise the victims of crime.
I first introduced a Victims Bill at Holyrood, and much of what was in my bill made it into the final legislation. I worked closely with ministers and other MSPs to secure new laws that will make it easier for law-abiding Scots when they need it most.
As other parties put party politics above serving their communities, I sat down at the negotiating table with the Finance Secretary to secure a budget deal.
The deal we struck contained £300 million in additional support for important causes. Included in this was more money to give small businesses, like those on our high streets, relief from business rates, more cash for our hospices, and extra resources for our colleges.
This money would not have been there if it hadn’t been for tough but open-minded Liberal Democrat negotiations, and North Ayrshire and Arran will receive its fair share of it.
Nobody knows how the election will go. But, if you want to send me back to Holyrood to continue getting on with the job, you can.
I’m standing on the peach ballot paper, the regional vote, and if you like what I’ve been doing then that’s the simple way to make sure I return.
It’s been my pleasure to be one of your MSPs these past 10 years and I am grateful to my hard-working staff over the years.
I’m proud of my achievements and those of my party. But our story isn’t finished, we’ve got a lot left to do.
In closing, I’d like to thank the editors for having me in this paper and, of course, you for reading and for engaging with these columns. Thank you.
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