Glenrothes Gazette and East Fife Mail Column – Published 17 May 2023
Stepping into summer, I have no doubt that friends and families across the constituency will be taking advantage of the good weather now that it has finally arrived (in-between the showers!) As we approach the halfway point of 2023, my office has been focusing on our outreach and engagement.
Over the last few weeks, my team and I have been out and about across Mid Fife and Glenrothes delivering ‘Here to Help’ contact cards, so that people are aware of how to get in touch with me as their local MSP if they need my support.
As a parliamentarian, I firmly believe in the importance of speaking directly to folk about the issues that are important to them, listening to their concerns and feedback, and acting upon this to effectively govern for the people that I represent. Over the summer months my team will be out across the constituency continuing this work and reaching out to those who need my help.
Last week I held a business surgery in Leven, speaking to local owners about the ongoing problems they are facing following the recent fires on the High Street and the impacts of local road closures by Fife Council. This has understandably been an incredibly challenging time for local businesses, and this was an opportunity to agree on a set plan of action to improve the High Street in Leven.
I also had the pleasure of attending InchDairnie Distillery in Glenrothes for the launch of their new RyeLaw whisky. I visited the distillery when it originally opened back in 2018, so was delighted to return to see the progress since – particularly given the focus of their brand on celebrating their Fife roots.
Undoubtedly the cost of living crisis is continuing to create challenges for lots of families across Fife. I was very pleased that earlier this month the First Minister announced extra funding to expand out of school childcare for children in our poorest communities. Scotland already has the most generous provision of childcare offer of anywhere in the U.K. – but we plan to go further still by expanding the 1140 hours currently available to families.
I look forward to meeting many more constituents, businesses and local groups in my role as MSP over the coming months, particularly as we enter the busy summer months with more people out and about, enjoying all that Fife has to offer.
