Monday

The main business of the day was a debate on strengthening the union. You couldn’t make this stuff up. In the previous weeks and months Westminster has ridden rough over the devolution settlement with absolutely no regard for the will of the people of Scotland. They failed to provide chamber time to debate the devolution aspects of the EU Withdrawal Bill but now they want to debate the strength of the union. It was a bun fight with Tory after Tory talking down Scotland and Labour resurrecting all the old myths around how Thatcher came to power. Blaming the SNP for their infighting and ineptitude in standing up for Scotland. Nothing has really changed. I had a catch up with Baroness Meacher regarding medical cannabis. Molly is one of those peers who give the House of Lords a good name. She is a cross bencher with a solid career in social work and a political conscience. In the evening I attended a showing o documentary on medical cannabis for children with cancer. It is called ‘weed the people’ and will be out Netflix in the Autumn. I returned to the chamber for the adjournment debate on ‘mamba’. I was concerned it was going to be an excuse to call for tougher sentencing and it was. I put the case for education and support.

Tuesday

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee met to finalise our latest report around Brexit. It is published next Tuesday. We then took evidence in public on referendums. I had to leave before the end as I had a question on the order paper for the Secretary of State for health and social care. I asked the U.K. government would make drug policy reform a health based issue rather than an issue for the home office as it is currently. The basis for my question was the latest statistics that show the U.K. has 64 deaths per million because of drug related harm while Portugal has 3 per million. Portugal handed over its drug policy to their health department years ago. My last business in the house before summer recess was supposed to be a debate on gambling advertising aimed at children but unfortunately the debate was withdrawn. So instead my summary of the cost of the Wyfla nuclear power station was my last contribution.

Wednesday

First day of recess. Catch up with casework and then a trip to visit CVS in Cathcart Street. I was there to learn about the programme that has community link workers working in GP surgeries. It is a methodology that elsewhere has helped reduce the burden on GPS and given valuable support to patients too. It’s early days in inverclyde but all the signs are good. In the afternoon I met with Scottish Enterprise to learn about their investment levels in the area and their plans for the future.

Thursday

Along with my caseworkers I met with representatives of Inverclyde Council to discuss the Scottish Welfare Fund and in particular discretionary payments. I visited a constituent at home to better understand the problems he has encountered with anti-social behaviour from youths in the area and I had visits to two of the excellent organisations we have locally that support children and young adults with autism. Both the Inverclyde A-team and Reach for Autism do a tremendous job and could always benefit from financial support.

Friday

I had a meeting with Taylor Wimpey regarding their proposals to build houses at Planetreeyetts in Kilmacolm and the rest of the day was consumed by casework. During recess I shall be meeting up with as many companies and organisations as I can but there will always be time to talk and listen to individuals that want to bring their cases to my office.

Monday 

I met with representatives of the National AIDS Trust and we discussed the increased numbers of drug related deaths and within that AIDS related deaths in Glasgow and Scotland. One of the major reasons for the increase is the lack of safe drug consumption rooms. While needle exchanges are closing, more people are sharing needles and HIV along with Hepatitis C is spreading. The U.K. Government could change this but actually choose not to. I stood for questions to BEIS and asked if the U.K. Government would follow the Scottish Government’s lead and provide more attractive business rates to help stimulate business. I wasn’t alone in pursuing this line of enquiry but the short answer is that they won’t. We voted long into the night and we watched the Conservative and Unionist Party tie itself in knots as their MPs were threatened and bullied into backing Brexit amendments that they do not support.

Tuesday  

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals met to decide our strategy to try and force the U.K. Government to implement the £2 maximum spin that they have committed to, next April and not later as they wish to. We then took evidence from people who had lost fortunes on FOBTs and parents of young men that had committed suicide after developing an addiction to these machines. No Minister from the treasury has ever listened to these people. This isn’t about taking tax from FOBTs, this is about reducing gambling related harm. The Treasury should put its calculator in its pocket and do the decent thing. I met with CapBal who are a company that are installing three battery storage devices in Inverclyde. An interesting project with potential for engaging in other renewable projects. 

Wednesday  

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on drug policy reform met for our AGM and plan the year ahead. I bobbed up and down at Prime Minister’s Questions to try and get in in the back of Alison Thewliss question about lack of U.K. Government support for safe Drug Consumption Rooms. But I didn’t get picked. Still it was good physiotherapy for my knees. I dropped in on the Marine Energy Showcase. It’s always refreshing to mingle with people who see the possibilities of renewable energy and work so hard to maximise its potential. The APPG for Medical Cannabis under Prescription provided a drop in session for other MPs and staff to become better informed in the debate. That was followed by a reception organised by the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) for those attending a drug policy reform event at Chatham House the following day. 

Thursday 

Today was one of those days when it is an absolute joy to be an MP. I spent the day listening and talking to parliamentarians from all over Europe and the USA to learn about their experiences of drugs, medical cannabis and psychoactive substances.

So many European countries are so far ahead of the U.K. and the 32 US states that have medical cannabis all have different approaches. We can learn and we can make this happen.

Friday 

Started with watching the Victoria Derbyshire Show on BBC where the discussion was on medical cannabis. I then had a catch up with Inverclyde Council officers and then up to Glasgow for a meeting with Robin McAlpine of the Common Weal. I attended a Basic Income workshop and at in the evening I attended a talk by Karl Wilderquist, organised by the RSA. My faithful reader will be familiar with Karl as I have previously heard him talk at the RSA in London.