Pam Gosal MSP
Shadow Minister for Further & Higher Education, Youth Employment & Training
With summer recess coming to an end, I can safely say that I’ve had an interesting and varied month. As I’m sure fellow politicians will agree, no two weeks are ever the same as an elected representative.
Perhaps the two most significant events I participated in this month were the celebrations of Pakistan and India’s Independence Days. On both occasions, I was privileged to attend their respective Consulates and join in the festivities, and I lodged a written motion in Parliament recognising their achievements. As the first female MSP elected to the Scottish Parliament from an Indian background, I know how important it is to recognise that people from all over the world have made Scotland their home. Every one of them has made an invaluable contribution to Scottish society.
However, it’s not all fun and games, and the hard work that the good people of the West of Scotland elected me to do has never stopped. In the recent recall of Parliament, I questioned the First Minister on when she would publish a plan for staggering the return of office workers. I know, from my conversations with businesses, that they are eager to have staff return their offices.
Outside of Parliament, I have been lucky to visit some of my region’s hidden gems, including Craigmaddie Muir to discuss agritourism and the Scottish Government’s plans to license self-catering properties.
Sadly, in the last few weeks, my region saw the deaths of several people in tragic accidents after getting into trouble in the waters of Loch Lomond. Whilst these were tragic accidents that no one could have foreseen, I believe we must do all we can to ensure such tragedies never happen again. I have asked the Scottish Government to provide more funding to the emergency services that patrol our waters and I will continue to raise this issue.
Whether it be about plans to regulate short-term letting, or the blight of crime on society, I have regularly published opinion pieces in local newspapers and media relating to matters affecting the lives of my constituents.
And who can forget the other all-important side of politics: campaigning. I was delighted to campaign for an excellent local candidate, Ronnie Stalker, in the recent Dalry and West Kilbride Council by-election. This was made all the better by Ronnie’s outstanding victory, taking the seat from the SNP and making him Councillor Ronnie Stalker.
One final note, I will soon have a regional office open where constituents can drop in for help and support at a time that suits them. Until it is open, I will continue to offer my weekly telephone surgery sessions. As always, I am here to help in any way I can, and I will continue to stand up for you and our community in the Scottish Parliament. You can reach me by emailing [email protected].