A Season of Goodwill?

'I HOPE everyone reading this has had a peaceful and happy Christmas, and can look forward to a good year in 2017. In particular, I hope you have been able to treasure good times with your family.

Such sentiments are shared widely at this time of year, but there will also be those amongst us, who have not been able to share in the joy of the festive season. So let us all spare a thought for the lonely neighbour, the ill friend and unhappy colleague, and do what we can to help bring some light into their lives.

The last few weeks at Westminster, have made me reflect deeply on the suffering some people have had to endure, often in silence. In Parliament a couple of weeks ago, I sat behind the extraordinary and brave Michelle Thomson MP, as she spoke, for the first time, of being raped at the age of only 14. It was a debate on violence against women, and her speech, delivered in such a calm but determined spirit, touched the hearts of every member of parliament. Like me, the Speaker shed a tear as we reflected on the trauma she had suffered 37 years ago.

A few days later, my wife Barbara felt able to give an interview about having been sexually abused at the age of only six. It has affected Barbara too all of her life in different ways. My admiration for Michelle and Barbara is profound. I hope speaking out as they have done, has in some small way helped others.

So, although I love Christmas and New Year, I am also aware it is a time of year when there is often an increase in domestic violence. There is so much do be done to support those in need and to protect those under the threat of violence. I pledge to do more to support moves to tackle the scourge of violence in the coming year in parliament. So please look out for the vulnerable amongst us, and offer a helping hand where you can.

Inevitably, many of the comments made about 2016, have related to the vote in the UK to leave the European Union, while in Scotland we voted to remain. I was therefore pleased to see the Scottish Government publish its detailed proposal on options for the UK and Scotland as we near negotiations with our European partners.

However, the fact that the UK government is as yet completely unable to lay out any position is a stark demonstration of the utter chaos Theresa May’s government are in. Regardless of whether people voted to remain or leave, I am finding more and more are concerned that the UK government is devoid of any strategy or plan for upcoming negotiations.

Finally, in a few weeks time one of the big events will be the inauguration of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States. I hope his presidency is much more successful than I fear. Happy 2017'.