October 2024 Newsletter
- Liam Kerr
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 9
October Newsletter
Welcome to my newsletter, where I set out what I have been doing over the last month. If you want to see more of what I am up to, follow me on social media. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch through the details below.
As you may already know, following the election of our new Scottish Conservative and Unionist leader, Russell Findlay MSP, a cabinet reshuffle took place earlier this month. I very much enjoyed my time overseeing the Education Portfolio, and I am grateful to all who worked with me during this period.
I have now accepted and returned to the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice. The challenges we face in our justice system are no small matter, and I am committed to making sure that we continue to hold the SNP Government to account.
You can see all the new appointments to the Scottish Conservative Shadow Ministerial Team here
After the SNP Government lost its appeal against releasing the report on Nicola Sturgeon’s behaviour, I was granted a Topical Question to ask about it.
What did I discover? More secrecy and that the Scottish Government really hasn’t learned it’s lesson.
Fortunately, the Scottish Conservatives demanded the First Minister be hauled in front of Parliament to discuss this very issue. My question was around the Lord Advocate’s role, but Swinney decided patronising me and avoiding the question was preferable.
He can, of course, expect my letter seeking clarification very shortly!
Speaking of the SNP’s management – or rather mismanagement, I hope you are not planning to travel by train anytime soon, because yet again, the Scottish Government has hiked up our train fares. As reliability and service levels continue to fall, and customer satisfaction continues to sink, not only are we being forced to pay more, but we are also now getting less in return.
Just imagine if someone had told the SNP, debate after debate, that this is what would happen when the service was nationalised. Oh yes, so I did!
You can read more of my thoughts on this here
On the day the prison auto-early-release period was extended, the Lord Advocate came under pressure from the Scottish Government to increase the option of granting bail rather than holding people on remand.
Speaking in the Holyrood chamber, in a frankly bizarre and contradictory statement, she admitted being asked to help lower the prison population but could not say if this approach would work or lead to reoffending.
The response is completely scripted – not a single attempt to properly address the questions.
You can watch the clip here
Earlier in October, I lodged a question in Parliament about the impact of the impending closure of the Grangemouth Refinery on the Forties Pipeline, and the jobs and businesses tied to it. The Deputy First Minister’s response was astonishingly complacent.
I followed up with a further question about the SNP’s already delayed and discredited draft energy strategy. The pipeline is hugely important to the UK, yet experts warn that the SNP Government's policies could see it shut down by 2030. But yet again, the Deputy FM thinks there is nothing to see here.
You can watch my first question to the Deputy FM on the Grangemouth Refinery here and my second question on the draft energy strategy and the Forties pipeline can be found here
Recently, during FMQ's another MSP asked about the shocking situation of teachers being given temporary contracts, including many here in the North East.
I hit the button to ask about data from Scottish Teachers for Permanence, which shows just how dire the situation is for supply teachers. Does the Scottish Government have a strategy to address recruitment and retention in teaching? Come on... you know what the answer – sorry, "answer" - is!
You can watch my question and the "answer" here
In early October, it was fantastic to be invited to Sistema Scotland Big Noise Torry where I listened to some fantastic performances from some talented young musicians and spoke to the inspiring young people and staff who make it all happen.
A truly inspiring visit and work that really makes a difference.
A pleasure as always to be out with the Banff and Buchan Scottish Conservatives, this time campaigning for our excellent Aberdeenshire Council by-election candidate Peter Chapman, who is standing for the party in Central Buchan.
The response we have received from local residents has been hugely positive, with many people who will be backing Peter on the 7th of November.
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