Returning to Parliament

The first few days back in Parliament have been extremely busy but I am so glad to be back! It is truly an honour that people across North East Fife have chosen me to represent them in Parliament and I am so grateful for the chance to continue working hard for our communities.

As well as winning North East Fife with 54.7% of the vote, Liberal Democrats across the UK won 72 seats, our highest total in a century, including six here in Scotland. As the Chief Whip of the Liberal Democrats, that is a lot of new MPs to keep in check – luckily my Dad has leant me his silver-topped shinty caman to keep in my office and keep colleagues in line!

On a serious note though, this election result, with both the Conservatives and the SNP losing so many seats, clearly shows that people across the UK want to see change, and that is what I am committed deliver. I hope that this result will put renewed focus on issues such as the NHS and the cost-of-living crisis, as well as pushing the new Government to revisit important issues such as reforming universal credit for farmers and continuing to improve unpaid carer’s rights, issues that I campaigned on in the last Parliament.

I will use my voice in Parliament to continue to demand a functional healthcare system by supporting the recruitment of more GPs locally and improving funding for NHS dentists. We need a healthcare service which is reliable and accessible. With only 22 GP practices left here in North East Fife, we need to maintain these services and ensure that they can provide the care that people need. This is one of the biggest issues that comes up when I’m door-knocking. This has to change.

I will also continue working on the need to upgrade transport across North East Fife, including continuing the campaign to get Newburgh train station rebuilt and monitoring the service cancellations at the new Levenmouth Rail Link. I will also continue to work on ensuring public transport is accessible to all, including those with reduced mobility who I know have faced difficulty accessing all forms of public transport.

Fighting to protect key local services like banks and post offices will also continue to be a priority of mine. With the announcement of the Leven TSB branch closure just before the election was called, it is clear that provisions must be in place to ensure access to cash for people across North East Fife, as well as small business who rely on it. I’ll be following up with the new UK Government and the FCA on banking hubs and the need to accelerate the programme so that communities such as Cupar and the East Neuk are not left without provision.

In the last Parliament, I passed the Carers Leave Act which gives carers the right to 5 days of unpaid leave. I am so pleased to see the Act become law, but I want to take this further by doubling the leave and making it paid. As a result, I will continue to stand up for carers, ensuring they are given the support they need, particularly as the new Scottish Government Carers Support Payment is rolled out in place of Carers Allowance.

If you would like to get in touch with me, please send me an email to set up an online surgery or you can come and chat to me in person, I’ll be hosting regular surgeries in the upcoming weeks which you can find details for on my social media.

I look forward to the new Parliamentary term ahead and thank everyone who has supported me and continues to support me along the way.