No one is defending Maduro but the US action in Venezuela threatens to undermine the international system and creates a dangerous precedent.

Life for the people of Scotland would be much better if our two Governments worked together and we hit away from the SNP's constitutional bickering. www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Alex from Clifton Hall in Newbridge won my Christmas Card Competition with her fantastic, colourful design. It was great to surprise her at assembly with her prizes, and I also attended the nursery nativity with Headteacher Mrs Drummond which got me into the Christmas spirit!

Closer ties to our European neighbours will be the key to assuring the UK's security and economic stability. My thoughts in The Scotsman - www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Ending Female Genital Mutilation overseas is key to protecting women and girls in the UK who remain at risk of being taken abroad for the procedure. Listen to what I said on Woman's Hour - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Women and girls who live in constant fear of abuse will hope the Government's new strategy will be the best Christmas present imaginable. My thoughts - www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

A snapshot of my week!

Chronic pain, long waiting times and lack of understanding are sadly common in womens’ health care. At the Women and Equalities Committee our inquiry heard how the profession is working to improve the situation

Communities like those in Bonnington Mains in my constituency of Edinburgh West are concerned about the impact of quarry extensions. Development must work alongside environmental protection, tourism and local livelihoods - not override them.

I'm recruiting a Parliamentary Assistant to be based in Westminster. Please apply with a CV and cover letter by 5th January! www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

If we are to halt the epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country we need to start with education young boys about relationships and protect all our young people from the damaging material they are subjected to on the internet.

This is not the message I ever wanted to post for Chanukah. I am heartbroken at the news from Australia. Chanukah should be a joyous celebration. Any attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of us. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of victims.

A free press is fundamental to a healthy democracy, but its needs to change if we are to save it in this country. @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

My week!

After two decades of SNP mismanagement of the NHS, mental health services are in crisis, leaving my constituents waiting years to get a diagnosis or the treatment they desperately need.

The United States’ National Security Strategy raises serious questions about our own security and the future of NATO.

The SNP should back our thriving retail sector and cut business rates at their Budget next month.

On #HumanRightsDay I urged Equalities Ministers to bring forward clear guidance to protect the rights of trans people, after organisations like Girlguiding were forced to exclude them.

Disabled people already face higher bills, and higher standing charges in Edinburgh make it worse. I asked ministers what real support will be in place this winter.

Women in public life are still too often targeted over trivialities instead of being judged on their ideas and actions. It discourages talented women from entering politics. My thoughts in this weeks column: @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

My week so far!

Marking #GriefAwarenessWeek by highlighting recent work as an Officer of the APPG on Grief: meeting bereavement groups, securing a Westminster Hall debate on children’s support, and speaking at the launch of Winston’s Wish’s Ask Me programme. Next up: the Grief Centre London event.

I have called on the Equalities Minister to withdraw badly written guidance for single-sex spaces to protect everyone's rights and ensure trans people are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

As someone who loved the Brownies and the Guides I am shocked and disappointed that the Guiding Association feels compelled to exclude some children following the Supreme Court ruling. I have contacted them to offer my help and support.

Pleased to support the Edinburgh Food Project's Winter Food Collection Point in Corstorphine Tesco last week. It was great to see firsthand the hard work of the staff and volunteers.

Gaps in women’s healthcare coupled with a lack of training for GPs contribute to unsatisfactory experience for patients. At the the Women and Equalities Select committee doctors explained the need for more understanding and how shortcomings happened:

#InternationalDayofDisabledPeople is a vital reminder of the work still to do. On the Women and Equalities Select Committee, I’m focused on advancing accessibility, inclusion and equality for all members of the community.

The Labour Budget has allocated  £820m to the Scottish Government but we need to ensure the SNP don't waste it but invest in what we need

Today I attended the #WorldAIDSDay2025 drop-in to support those living with and affected by HIV. As the Government prepares a new HIV Action Plan, we need a clear roadmap to tackle inequalities and remain committed to ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.

As politicians we should always put what's best for the country, for people first and adapt to circumstances. My thoughts in this weeks column: @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Fantastic day touring the Christmas Fairs- met the Men's shed and got a pic of the Bridge for my office in Queensferry, got some Travel advice from Katie in Ratho and goodies from Sweet Bella at DMains Fair

As Islamophobia Awareness Month ends, the rise in anti-Muslim hate remains impossible to ignore. Together, we must call it out and build the inclusive Britain we all need and deserve.

A snapshot of a busy week!

Frozen tax thresholds are failing people. By refusing to raise them, the Government is dragging more households into tax earlier and reducing the income families depend on.

Too many places with his levels of child poverty do not quality for support under the UK Government’s Pride in Place scheme so I asked the minister to look again at criteria.

The Government has deliberately turned its back on the single most effective step it could take to kick-start growth and fill the £90 billion Brexit-shaped hole in the public finances. We need a new Customs Union with the EU to get our economy growing.

Sometimes all it takes is someone asking. Encouraging women to stand isn’t just symbolic - it changes Parliament for the better. If we want a stronger, more representative democracy, we need more women in politics. Proud to back #AskHerToStand.

No one should die from cancer because of their postcode, ethnicity or GP access. I have signed a cross-party letter calling on the Government for a targeted screening programme for prostate cancer. Read the letter here: www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/letter-on-ne...

Pleased to see Nationwide committing to keep their Corstorphine branch open until at least 2030. Local banking services matter for our high streets and for the people who rely on them.

Significant work still needs to be done into understanding the reasons that women's health conditions are not being taken seriously. At the Women and Equalities Committee this week, I discussed how reproductive health conditions are routinely dismissed.

Ministers must be clear about the evidence the police assessed before banning Israeli fans from the Maccabi Tel Aviv match in Birmingham earlier this month.

The will of the democratic majority must prevail. If the Lords continue to push against this expressed will, they may find that it is their own future which is in question. My thoughts in The Scotsman: www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Some days of the goodies I bought at the Clifton Hall School #Christmas Fair

What I have been up to this week!

The Transport Secretary must reassure me and constituents across Edinburgh West that the Government will listen to their views on Edinburgh tram extension plans, if they give support to the project as newspaper reports suggest

After several difficult years for the trans community, we must continue to stand up for the rights of trans people across the UK and the world and fight discrimination wherever we find it #TransAwarenessWeek

Islamophobia is a scourge that is growing in our society. There should be no room for this or any other type of racism so for this #Islamaphobiaawarenessmonth let's stand against prejudice, for respect and work to support each other.

Energy costs are a concern for all businesses and households  in my constituency. An issue I raised with the minister today.

Delighted to speak at the launch of Ask Me with @winstonswish.bsky.social and Alfie Watts, a new plan to support bereaved young people, including some brilliant speeches from those affected by grief and bereavement.

Steps to end the chaos in the immigration system must not put off skilled workers coming to the UK and contributing to our economy and communities.