We should always seek dialogue but it is offensive for John Swinney to casually dismiss concerns over links with Sinn Fein. SF refuse to fully participate in democracy or acknowledge their role in the murders of British service personnel and civilians. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2611426...

Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social has asked the MoD to assess the national security threat from Chinese electric vehicles, including remote kill switch capabilities. The government says it is working to manage the risks. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-assessing...

Graeme Downie @graemedowniemp.bsky.social, MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, has said the debate around defence funding risks placing a disproportionate burden on younger people while avoiding more politically difficult choices.

Over the weekend, Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social called for the pension triple lock to be reformed to fund higher defence spending “If there is to be a true whole of society approach to defence, and younger people could be expected to die, what are older people willing to sacrifice?”

In case you’re confused - the £100k of tax Richard Tice failed to pay here is totally different to the - £92k of tax not properly withheld on dividends - the £600k side-stepped via highly aggressive tax avoidance Industrial scale grifting revealed by @danneidle.bsky.social and Gabriel Pogrund

We must be brave enough to ask those who benefited financially from peace to contribute to the future security of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Piece in @politicshome.bsky.social this morning. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

The situation in the Middle East remains volatile but whatever happens we are unlikely to see any quick resolution to increased energy prices. But we must not see a feather fall in prices after the rocket rise. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Excellent piece by my colleague @graemedowniemp.bsky.social

Labour MP and former AI minister @feryalclark.bsky.social told @politicshome.bsky.social that banning kids from social media could "cut off" vital education resources – particularly for disadvantaged or vulnerable students

Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social has welcomed UK Government funding to support a proposed ferry link between Rosyth and mainland Europe, after he pushed for the significant economic boost.

Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social has called for a coordinated Western strategy in the Arctic to reduce dependence on Chinese critical minerals, warning that the region is becoming central to future economic and security competition.

Great speaking on the podcast 2 Parkies in a Pod about increasing profile of Parkinsons in Parliament and the opportunities for collaboration to help people with Parkinsons. @parkinsons.org.uk open.spotify.com/episode/7DUj...

Pleased to have provided the foreward for a report by Dr. Helena Ivanov Henry Jackson Society on strategic importance of the Arctic and High North. We must not be distracted. We need a long term plan with security, economics and ethics at its heart. henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/u...

In #Dunfermline with Scottish Labour candidiate Joe Long. People focussed on failure of the SNP on public services and positive recent investments in Fife by UK Labour government. In 7 May, people can choose a new direction in Scotland with Anas Sarwar as First Minister.

Yesterday's announcement by the UK Labour government of funding that will enable a passenger and freight ferry from Fife to France is the culmination of my almost two year campaign. It will bring huge benefits to Rosyth, Fife and the whole of Scotland.

Speaking to people in #Dunfermline this morning talking to voters with Joe Long, our fantastic @scottishlabour.bsky.social candidate. Public services have been decimated by 20 years of the SNP. Scotland has a choice in May to reverse that decline with @anassarwar.bsky.social as First Minister.

Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social has highlighted the importance of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in protecting critical undersea infrastructure in the High North and Arctic during a Westminster Hall debate on NATO and the region.

This afternoon I urged Ed Miliband to ensure British people are under no illusions that the blame for any future rises in energy bills for ordinary people lies fully and squarely with the actions of the Iranian government and their indiscriminate military strikes.

This afternoon I was pleased the Chancellor congratulated the fantastic workforce at Rosyth on the roll-out steel of the latest Type 31 Frigate. I also pressed her to accelerate energy investment and be mindful of short-term price increases resulting from Iranian action in the Middle East.

The consequences of Iranian actions could hurt the most vulnerable in the UK through increased energy bills. The government has done an incredible amount to deter, defend and mitigate this in the UK but we need to take urgent steps to protect our country. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

The SNP have failed the leadership test on defence to molify their own base. In @thetimes.com today I say their failure is putting Scotland's security at risk.

At Rosyth for the rollout of HMS Active, we spoke to @graemedowniemp.bsky.social MP for Dunfermline and Dollar about the yard as a major local employer, Scotland’s contribution to UK maritime security and the need for sustained political support for the defence industry and skills.

In Gorton and Denton supporting the unity not division. @labouruk.bsky.social

Very moving to visit Link Church today, on the fourth anniversary of the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. A chance to reflect and read some of the stories of Ukrainians who consider Dunfermline home but are seeing their country wrecked by Putin's aggression. Thanks to Anne for inviting me.

Scottish Labour MP @graemedowniemp.bsky.social has warned that Britain remains dangerously exposed to disruption of its undersea cable network, arguing that a serious attack could "unplug" the country from the global economy. ukdefencejournal.org.uk/labour-mp-wa...

Imagine waking up one morning to find Britain cut off.... Our country runs on undersea cables. 98% of our internet. Hospitals. Jobs. Defence. They’re exposed and our enemies know it. Protecting subsea cables isn’t optional. It’s national security. www.linkedin.com/pulse/un-spl...

Increasing defence spending can unlock investment in a range of sectors including tech, data and AI as well as advanced manufacturing and digital design. These sectors can be drivers for growth, developing dual use tech that can have civilian uses as well www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

The UK, and Scotland in particular, is a frontline nation in a current and ongoing conflict with Russia Despite this, there is not nearly enough discussion of how Putin is putting our way of life at risk and what we need to do to protect ourselves. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2585931...

Speaking to voters in #Rosyth with fantastic candidate, Fiona Sword. Fiona works with young people who need help and knows how the SNP government has failed for the last 20 years. In May, Scotland can choose @AnasSarwar to be a First Minister who will deliver for Scotland.

This is very welcome news. I have been raising the importance of the High North and Arctic for last 18 months. The UK is a frontline nation and in an ongoing conflict with Russia. This deployment is vital to our national security. This Prime Minister is defending our country.

Out campaigning for Joe Long in Dunfermline. Police, health, social work and education were the main topics raised. All things the SNP have been in charge of for almost 20 years. Scotland can make a different choice in May and gave a Scottish Labour government that will fix these vital issues.

Graeme Downie MP (@graemedowniemp.bsky.social) says the NATO consensus model is too slow for modern crises and should adopt a "neighbourhood" approach, empowering regional allies like the UK to act fast and deny Russia the chance to exploit delays.

As the UK government make welcome announcement increasing commitment to defend the High North and Arctic, I have written a suggestion on how NATO Neighbourhoods could speed up decision making and improve deterrence.

For the second year in a row @melanieward.bsky.social and I organised a small Scottish party at Westminster for some fellow MPs. An informal Burns night with great Scottish food and drinks. Of course it had to include Stephens pies!

Some lunchtime campaigning with my friend @vonnsand.bsky.social in Glasgow today. In May, Scotland can choose to be represented by fantastic MSPs like Vonnie who will focus on improving public services like our NHS and education.

Out in Oakley tonight with Scottish Labour candidiate for Dunfermline, Joe Long, and Scotland Office Minister, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social. The weather was rough and wild. The response from local people was warm and welcoming. Thanks to Kirsty for joining us.

Damp in Bearsden earlier on today but a great reception on doors for Lorna Dougall ahead of the by-election on Thursday. People thoroughly fed up with the local SNP Council just as they are fed up with almost 20 years of SNP government in Scotland.

Great to be in Comrie with Joe Long, the fantastic Scottish Labour candidate for Dunfermline at Holyrood election. People fed up of failing SNP public services but looking forward to how £20m of UK Labour Government money can be used to improve West Fife Villages.

NEC has helpfully taken a quick and decisive decision. We now need to move on, allow Andy Burnham to get on with continuing the fantastic job he is doing in Greater Manchester and winning the by-election in Gorton and Denton.

SNP Ministers and members have shared posts that advocate wild conspiracy theories that harm democratic debate in Scotland and the UK. Does the SNP endorse this and if not why have they taken no action against these individuals? www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

This is what I said last week on Greenland. This is and must continue to be the position of the UK government in the face of any threat, military or economic from any country. #greenland

Why the UK and Scotland are the frontline in Arctic security. Putin’s actions have already hit the most vulnerable people in the UK through higher energy bills and they will again if we don’t act. The High North is critical. We can’t ignore it. parliamentnews.co.uk/russia-under...

While Robert Jenrick is getting most of the attention, don’t miss that today a Reform staff member grabbed a journalist in Scotland to try and get them to stop asking questions. This is what we’re dealing with www.itv.com/watch/news/w...

This week I led a debate on the importance of the High North and Arctic to UK security. The UK is a front line nation and the decisions Putin takes will harm the most vulnerable people in the UK the most.

The SNP is risking Scotland's energy security and costing our country thousands of jobs by their dogmatic, ideological driven and baseless opposition to safe, clean nuclear power. Scotland deserves so much better. My piece in The Scotsman this week.

This is fantastic news as this Labour government continues to correct the failure to invest for the previous 15 years. This kind of investment is the only way to secure our energy supply and deliver stable pricing for consumers and businesses.

Support for Greenland should be part of wider increase in European capability in the Arctic and High North. We must show our own strength to deter Russia on our frontline. @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/uk-u...

Absolutely right the UK is prepared to take this action. The Russian Shadow Fleet has been warned time and time again. Putin will only understand action.

Scoop with @charliehparker.bsky.social: British special forces are being readied for raids on stateless tankers, as our analysis finds 107 ships sanctioned by Britain fly false flags. SBS commandos may rappel onto tankers for the raids, we're told. www.thetimes.com/article/39e5...

This is a great #StarterPack. Thanks Gavin.