August Column

Written by Malcolm Bruce MP on Mon 21st Aug 2006

Back to school ends silly season

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The return to school marks the end of the holidays and that fallow news period known as the 'silly season' when news editors are desperate for stories when the old staples such as politics, the courts and business are taking a breather.

Of course the Scottish Parliament does not return for another couple of weeks and Westminster, to its shame, not for another six.

On the whole I think Scotland gets advantage from its different school holidays. It enables families to go away in the slightly quieter and cheaper shoulder season in early July. Mostly it seems the kids are ready to go back. I know mine are, although they may be a little wistful if we get some of the late summer weather we always hope for.

In our household, the eldest is moving into primary three; the middle one starts nursery and the baby will soon start Twos Group.

I will shortly be writing to primary schools with details of my annual Christmas Card competition. I know it is a little scary to be thinking of Christmas when most of us are still in summer mode but if teachers are to fit it into the programme and we have time to judge, present prizes and arrange printing then plenty of notice is required.

Anyway I enjoy the results and clearly many of the children put real effort into it. There are usually a few serious contenders and it is difficult to make a final decision, which is why I seek help from others in judging.

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Time once again for my summer tour

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Next week also sees my summer tour of the constituency, which I prefer to carry out when the schools are back. When I started this in 1984 very few MPs did it. My former colleague and good friend, Russell Johnston MP for Inverness from 1964 to 1997 started doing it way back and claims he was the first. Certainly, now it is relatively commonplace.

Nevertheless I regard it as an important opportunity to cover all parts of the constituency especially some of the smaller communities I might not otherwise have reason to get to. It helps me to monitor changes over the year, catch up with local issues at schools, shops etc and make myself available to anyone who wants to bend my ear, either on a matter of personal concern or to let me know their views on matters of current interest.

Although it is entirely unpredictable I generally find quite a few issues have been raised with me by the end of the week. Personal matters cover issues relating to tax, benefits, passports, immigration, the Child Support Agency or problems people have dealing with public agencies. People often raise local issues, which I look into, but sometimes also discuss national and international issues.

Politics has changed enormously since I started out more than thirty years ago. Then public meetings were the stuff of politics and voters expressed their views forthrightly but also asked questions and enabled real dialogue to take place.

The year I was elected I attended over 50 meetings in three weeks and over 1200 people came. Now, meetings are few and little attended. It is interesting to note however that the level of representation I receive from constituents has probably maintained about the same level, although the nature of the issues has changed.

I look forward to my travels and hope the weather will be reasonably kind and I will have the chance for an exchange of views with a good cross section of people. As always, I will follow up any issue raised with me and report back.

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Air threat puts us on our mettle

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I suppose it is ironic that the horrendous security problems at airports have hit at a time when MPs are generally travelling less than normal by air. I have had no cause to fly to London and drove on my family holidays.

Nevertheless, as a frequent flyer I can understand the frustration many have faced at delays, inconvenience and intrusive security.

There is no doubt that intelligence services have foiled a major plot which could have wrought death and disaster and, as long as the authorities deem it necessary, we will need to co-operate with heightened security.

If it is to continue when we need to ensure it is carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible without compromising thoroughness.

It is a matter of grave concern that those who wish to perpetrate such dastardly acts have been nurtured within our midst. They are not underprivileged or exploited but it appears young men susceptible to pressure for acts of mind boggling self-denying wickedness.

It puts our society on its mettle to give maximum support to our intelligence and security services as they try to anticipate and head off these acts while maintaining our values that do not presume the vast majority of British Asians or Muslims are anything other than good and honest citizens.

The whole community needs to work together to confront this threat, neither underestimating the danger nor leaping to unjustified conclusions.

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Paying for Lebanon's reconstruction

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The cease-fire in Lebanon has been a long time coming and looks fragile. Whatever the rights and wrongs the events of the last few weeks have done nothing for the prospects of stability on the Middle East let alone peace.

Israelis are firmly of the belief that it is surrounded by people who have no other ambition than to destroy their state and drive them out. The Palestinians, who appear helpless pawns in the process, are further away from ever in securing their own state. It is difficult to imagine Israel allowing the West Bank or Gaza to be outside their control.

In the midst of this, International development Secretary, Hilary Benn, has announced aid totalling £12.5 million to help the rebuilding of the shattered infrastructure of Lebanon.

Of course, I agree entirely that the people of Lebanon who have suffered disproportionately are entirely deserving of our help and support. Nevertheless, I have a problem that we have already contributed to the reconstruction of Lebanon. We have also supplied weapons to Israel, some of which may have been used to destroy that same infrastructure.

In the circumstances it seems to me that Israel should consider contributing some compensation for the damage that has been inflicted on innocent communities. This will not bring back lives and Israel may wonder what compensation they will receive for the damage inflicted by Hezbollah. The issue, however, is one of proportionality and making a contribution is not of itself to deny the suffering of some Israeli communities.

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Security twist could boost tourism

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There is apparently evidence that the disruption at airports has discouraged many would-be travellers many of who have resolved to take a break in the UK. The West Country has been the immediate beneficiary but perhaps there is an opportunity for the North East.

Aberdeen Airport has benefited from an influx of passengers since 24-hour opening but this could be vulnerable. However we could offset this by encouraging visitors form the south of Scotland, Ireland and England to consider visiting our area.

It is time to make UK visitors even more welcome and maybe mount a special promotion to highlight our golf courses, hill and coastal walks, castles, distilleries and a host of other attractions in town and country.