Honoured to be welcomed to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. I talked to Ministers and people involved in their church about how we can work together for the common good. Also great to present @christianaiduk.bsky.social with a motion I published to mark their 80th anniversary.

This week marks Christian Aid Week 2025! Churches, their congregations and communities across Scotland are fundraising to support the vital work of @christianaiduk.bsky.social Scotland tackling poverty and injustice. Pleased to highlight their work this #CAW25 in my motion below 👇

Delighted to attend the official opening of the Neilston Learning Campus. It has been a long journey since 2016. Proud to have played my part & I couldn’t be happier for the pupils, teachers & the people of Neilston who will get to use it in the years to come.

Tomorrow the 200th Neilston Agricultural Show will take place- a truly remarkable milestone for a cherished community event. I am looking forward to attending with @blairmcdougall.com who, like me, published a motion to commemorate the bicentenary. Read my motion below 👇

There is a worrying rise of youth violence in schools and in our communities. Today I asked the First Minister if his government would invest in safe spaces and programmes for young people instead of holding more summits and talking shops.

To mark Workers' Memorial Day I attended a WMD Ceremony in East Renfrewshire this morning. Today we re-dedicate that the memory of all the workers who have died as a result of accidents at work will never be forgotten and we fight for the health and wellbeing of everyone at work.

This week I took an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Pope Francis. In a debate about the current international situation, it felt only right to talk about the leadership and compassion he showed in times of trial and conflict.

A pleasure to welcome pupils from Uplawmoor Primary to Holyrood today. A group of young people who are a credit to their parents and their teachers. They came prepared with great questions!

Howwood is the latest place in West Scotland where I've held a street surgery. They're a really effective way to meet constituents and understand how I can help them. I'll be holding more in the coming weeks and could be in your street very soon!

John Swinney has been at the helm of the SNP Government for the last 17 years. If he had a serious plan for our NHS then we would have seen it by now Scotland needs a new direction.

To friends and constituents observing Passover across West Scotland and around the world, I hope it brings peace, joy and good health to you and your family. Chag Pesach sameach!

The SFRS have issued an 'extreme risk' of wildfires alert across the whole of Scotland from today, April 11, until Saturday, April 12. Please follow their advice and stay safe over the weekend. For updates follow @scottishfirerescue.bsky.social or visit 👇 t.co/7kfBW33Hz5

Something is seriously wrong if staff at the RAH feel unable to raise concerns about patient safety to senior staff. I'll be writing to NHS GG&C and the Health Secretary about these revelations. The full story below 👇 www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area...

A lovely day for a street surgery in Barrhead 😎🌞 There was plenty of issues and casework to take back to my office. As always, if there's any issue that I can help you with please get in touch 👇 paulokanemsp.scot

Houston is one of the many places in West Scotland where I've held a street surgery. Street surgeries are a really effective way for me to meet with constituents and find out how I can help them. If you have an issue that I can help you with then please get in touch 👇 paulokanemsp.scot

Wishing Muslim constituents and friends in West Scotland and around the world a blessed and joyful Eid Mubarak! #eidalfitr #eidmubarak

I am sorry to hear of Christina's passing. All my thoughts and prayers are with Keith, their family, friends & our colleagues. We debated passionately but so often with humour & I enjoyed the work we did together on equalities & social justice. May she rest in peace. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Roads and Parking🚗⛔️ NHS and the removal of the Strathgryffe Mobile Treatment Centre 🚐🏥 @martinmccluskey.bsky.social and I have plenty of issues to take up on behalf of constituents after a busy street surgery in Bridge of Weir

Wearing my #oddsocks because it’s #worlddownsyndromeday2025 Here’s to championing inclusion and diversity and starting conversations through #lotsofsocks

1,500 local people signed a petition, launched by @blairmcdougall.com & myself, to ask the Bank of Scotland to think again about the decision to close their branch in Barrhead. The strength of feeling hasn’t changed & today I delivered that representation to the Mound in Edinburgh👇

A welcome letter from the Minister for Social care confirming that the Changing Places Toilets Fund will be launched this Summer and awards will be made in Autumn. This was first promised by the Scottish Government in 2021.

This morning my @scottishlabour.bsky.social colleagues @anassarwar.bsky.social and @neilbibby.bsky.social and I were joined by Scottish faith based aid organisations & the Red Cross in Parliament. @sciaf.bsky.social @britishredcross.bsky.social @islamicreliefuk.bsky.social

Good to be on the panel at the Child Poverty & the Public Debt Crisis: A National Conference at @uofglasgow.bsky.social Some really informative discussions & insight into politicians’ approaches to the public debt crisis & child poverty. @aberlourcharity.bsky.social @uofgpolicy.bsky.social

Wishing everyone a very happy St Patrick's Day. 🍀 I am immensely proud to be part of the worldwide diaspora and working to foster links and connections. On this day celebrating Ireland I am sharing some words of another Saint about hearth and home 💚 Lá Fhéile Phádraig sona daoibh ☘️

Wishing a very happy #Purim to all of the Jewish community in West Scotland and across the country. I hope it has been filled with joy and happiness.

To everyone who is celebrating across West Scotland, I wish you and your family a very Happy Holi

As I continue to stand against the closure of the Post Office Neilston and the bank in Barrhead, I took the opportunity to raise the impact these closures are having on elderly users. Here is what Citizens Advice Bureau had to say 👇

It was brilliant to see so many young carers @parliament.scot today for @pfokane.bsky.social's Members' Business Debate for Young Carers Action Day 2025! You can watch the session here www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/memb... @carerstrust.bsky.social | #YoungCarersActionDay

Today is #youngcarersactionday Thousands of young carers across our country provide essential care for their family members. I’m honoured to be raising their contribution and the further support they need in a Members’ Business debate in Parliament tomorrow.

A good surgery in Barrhead today. If you’re interested in coming along to one of my surgeries and want more information then please don’t hesitate to get in touch 👇 paulokanemsp.scot

To all my constituents across West Scotland who are observing #Ramadan I wish you all a peaceful and blessed month. #ramadanmubarak #ramadan2025

At conference I announced that Scottish Labour will end sticking plaster approaches and prioritise whole family support to tackle poverty. As a start of this new direction primary schools will have access to a family network co-ordinator to build a hub of support.

I never thought we would see a war fought in mainland Europe in my lifetime & three years on it continues to shock & horrify the world. We will always stand in solidarity with Ukraine against Putin’s tyranny & aggression. We call for a lasting peace that guarantees Ukraine’s freedom.

Two good surgeries today in Inverclyde. I was in Port Glasgow in the early afternoon before I was joined by Cllr Ian Hellyer later in Gourock. As ever, if you have an issue I can help with then please get in touch 👇 paulokanemsp.scot

Absolutely delighted for Aidan who will be an amazing local champion for his community! ❤️

Honoured to have been selected to stand again - as candidate in the new proposed Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley constituency next year. My home and our community ❤️ Congrats to @kayleighmq.bsky.social on her selection for neighbouring seat of Eastwood. Let’s go!

It's been a flying start to 2025, and I've had some great meetings today viewing the redevelopment at Crookfur House and alsowith Education officials in Renfrewshire Council to discuss the challenges in our schools As always, if there is any issue you have that I can help with, just get in touch!

The news of Bank of Scotland Branch closures is a blow for communities in West Scotland Along with Blair McDougall MP I am urging local people in Barrhead to sign to call on Lloyds Banking Group to think again and retain our local Branch and last bank 👇 survey.labour.org.uk/ne6iquwepyvf...

80 years since liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau we remember six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust along with all victims of the Nazis and victims of genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur This week I will engage in commemorations focussing on the theme ‘for a better future’ #HMD2025

“The rattling showers rose on the blast; The speedy gleams the darkness swallow'd Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bellow'd: That night, a child might understand, The Deil had business on his hand.” For the days that are in it! 💨 🌧️ Happy Burns Night! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Tree down in my street just as in communities across West Scotland along with other storm damage Amber warning remains. Please continue to follow guidance from Met Office and Police Thanks to all who have been out in storm and will continue to be to keep people safe, restore power and clear debris

Due to the @metoffice.bsky.social red weather warning I urge everyone in West Scotland to take care. Please follow advice from local authorities & emergency services. Renfrewshire Council- @renfrewshire.gov.uk Police Scotland- @policescotland.bsky.social Met Office: www.metoffice.gov.uk

Delighted to join my colleagues today to promote the new #samaritartan @samaritans.bsky.social also launched a new report 'Paid Yesterday, Broke Today'. 👇 www.samaritans.org/scotland/samaritans-in-scotland/about-samaritans-scotland/campaigning-change-scotland/paid-yesterday-broke-today

Another productive surgery in Newton Mearns today. Surgeries are just one of the ways you can get in touch me about an issue 👇

Great morning in Barrhead chatting to local people on the doors about everything from roads and parking to waiting lists in our NHS. Lots of agreement about the need for a new direction for Scotland.

I took part in a very productive, eye opening roundtable discussion at the Renfrewshire Carers Centre this afternoon along with Cllr, MSP & MP colleagues. The challenges that unpaid carers are facing are clear & I will be raising them in Parliament. Some of my thoughts about today's roundtable 👇

After almost 18 years the SNP can't hide from the fact that this is not their first budget. Despite having years in government and plenty of levers of power at their disposal, they have failed to take a new direction to tackle the root causes of poverty in Scotland.

“In 2025, with hard work, humility and hope - I will seek to persuade you that a different future and a new direction is possible” A new year kicking off with a fantastic speech from @anassarwar.bsky.social with the vision and energy to chart a new direction for Scotland.

Thoughts for peace, respect for difference and understanding between peoples on this New Year’s Day. All the best for 2025! 🕊️ ❤️

On Tuesday they refused to recognise the Council of Europe’s role in promoting human rights or support the ECHR. Yesterday it was outrage over bus travel for refugees and asylum seekers and pitting people against one another. The nasty party are back and they’re stooping to new lows.