Monthly Archives: May 2013

Eep! A full mosque. Let’s all panic

Posted on May 30, 2013 by

There’s a wee thing going round Facebook at the moment saying “Should I read the Daily Mail?” And when you click on it, a huge NO appears on your screen. My life would be a lot better without the Fail … Continue reading →

Posted in being liberal democrats, daily fail, fear | Leave a comment

Jim Hume MSP launches consultation on measure to ban smoking in vehicles with children present

Posted on May 30, 2013 by

Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland Jim Hume this week launched a consultation on his Members’ Bill which would see smoking banned in vehicles where children are present. When I initially flagged this up on Liberal Democrat Voice a few weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Health, Jim Hume MSP, smoking | Leave a comment

Is it time for retailers to lose the lads’ mags?

Posted on May 28, 2013 by

Every time you go into a supermarket or newsagent to buy a magazine, you are likely to be confronted with the following: A women’s section, which contains magazines on, mainly, celebrity froth, sewing, cooking and child-rearing; Everything remotely interesting,like current … Continue reading →

Posted in lose the lads' mags, Sexism | Leave a comment

Report on internet pornography highlights need for education, not restriction

Posted on May 24, 2013 by

One of my biggest concerns in recent years has been the effect of access to easily available internet pornography on the next generation of young people. Every time I ask an expert in the field to reassure me and tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Feminism, Pornography, Sex education, Young people | 1 Comment

Woolwich murder: there are some things we just don’t need to know

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

The violent death of anyone is an enormous tragedy. Yesterday’s horrible events in Woolwich were clearly motivated by prejudice and hate. Last October, Anna, Bob and I spent a very wet and cold Saturday evening at a hate crimes vigil … Continue reading →

Posted in Meral Ece, terrorism, Willie Rennie, woolwich | Leave a comment

Rennie calls for review after Humza’s howler

Posted on May 23, 2013 by

The Scottish Government has a Minister for External Affairs, whose job it is to represent the Scottish Government on the international stage. This role is currently undertaken by SNP rising star Humza Yousaf. Humza has spent this week in Doha … Continue reading →

Posted in Humza Yousaf, SNP, Willie Rennie | Leave a comment

A 13 year old writes about same sex marriage – MPs take note #samesexmarriage

Posted on May 21, 2013 by

Yesterday Anna told me she’d received full marks for a school essay on same sex marriage. She had been told to write a persuasive essay on any subject of her choice, so she wrote about something she feels really strongly … Continue reading →

Posted in Equal Marriage, same sex marriage bill | 3 Comments

My open letter to Liberal Democrat MPs on same sex marriage – it’s not about you, it’s about fairness and equality

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

This is what I’ve spent the morning drafting and sending to Liberal Democrat MPs on the same sex marriage bill. I’ve sent it to everyone unless I know for sure that they are wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supporting the Bill and … Continue reading →

Posted in Equal Marriage, same sex marriage bill | 1 Comment

Willie Rennie: highlights of his first two years as Scottish Liberal Democrat leader

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

It’s two years today since Willie Rennie was elected Scottish Liberal Democrat leader. It’s sunny today, as it was then. I remarked at the time that 17th May was the first day it hadn’t rained since the SNP had won … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Liberal Democrats, Willie Rennie | 1 Comment

EDMwatch #1: animals, Sir Alex, Diabetes and VAT on tabloids

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

I thought it might be a good idea to introduce a new feature for the start of the shiny new parliamentary session – a regular look at the Early Day Motions tabled by MPs. These are basically House of Commons … Continue reading →

Posted in edmwatch | 1 Comment