☀️Lovely evening in Edinburgh and just passed St Andrew’s House (Scottish Government HQ) on the way back from Parliament to Paisley. Did you know it was designed by Paisley born architect Thomas S Tate who was also involved in the design of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Selfridges on Oxford Street?

The news of STV job cuts is concerning for the staff involved, but also for Scotland's democracy and economy. It is vital that all necessary steps are taken to minimise the impact of these proposals. My question at #FMQs today 👇

👀 Got my eyes checked at Munro Optometrists in Kilmacolm alongside Councillor Stephen McCabe and James Adams of RNIB Scotland. This is National Eye Health Week 2025. Eye checks are important for your health, and they're free. #EyeWeek

✊ I am pleased local services our vulnerable neighbours rely on are safe for now, but the fight goes on. My latest Paisley Daily Express column 👇

UPDATE: The Disability Resource Centre, Mirin Day Centre and other social care services are safe for now but remain under threat following today’s meeting of Renfrewshire HSCP Integrated Joint Board 👇🏻

🎥 Protecting Paisley’s heritage is vital to Paisley’s future.

Glasgow Labour councillors are right to reject the SNP’s city congestion charge plans. They would damage Glasgow’s economy & hit hard-working people from the West. Neither should pay the price for the SNP’s incompetence & underfunding of local councils.

First day back at school for Renfrewshire young people, including my own two. Think it is harder for the parents than the kids! Especially as they get older and are too cool to get a hug goodbye.🙄 Hope all the young people in your life have a great first day back.

The Disability Resource Centre in Paisley is more than a building - it’s a vital community with a beating heart. That was the message users and their carers made clear to me and councillor colleagues last week. We will continue to do all we can to ensure they are saved from its proposed closure.

Out speaking to Ferguslie Park residents yesterday, one told me “the best things that happen here, are done by the people here”. 💯 It’s of course the job of government to support that work, yet SNP cuts have been felt here, like the closure of the police station. It’s time for a new direction.

Marie Curie Scotland is calling for volunteers for its Companion Service at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley. Companion Volunteers can make a real positive difference by emotionally supporting people at the end of life. For more info visit: mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

Inspiring to visit the CIRCLE Recovery Hub which supports local people with mental health & addiction recovery. The Paisley based service recently won an NHS Celebrating Success award. Delighted to meet the volunteers & staff and present a @scotparl.bsky.social motion recognising this.

🏪 Shopworkers play an essential role — they should be thanked and respected, not harassed and abused, for their work. That’s the message from the summit on unacceptable abuse towards shopworkers I held in Paisley with @usdawunion.bsky.social, Insp. Ross Wilson, Paisley First & Cllr Janis McDonald.

🗣️Some say you only see politicians at elections. I’m working to change that during this recess. Great to be in Glenburn today listening to people about their issues - NHS, street cleaning and local care services. To let me know your views email: [email protected]

🥁 Tony Lawler is a true Paisley legend. He has laid down his drumsticks after 33 years of leading the town’s Sma’ Shot Day parade. A festival that remembers the weavers’ victory for fair pay. Thank you Tony!

My CrowdFunder to help kick-start my campaign to win Paisley at the 2026 Scottish Election is still open. If you are in a position to help then I would be very grateful for any support. Thank you to everyone who has already donated - it’s much appreciated.

🚗☔️🚙 Great to see Paisley town centre so busy for CarFest (despite the wet weather!) and to support some of our fantastic local businesses.

I have set up a CrowdFunder to help kick-start my campaign to win Paisley at the 2026 Scottish Election. If you are in a position to help then I would be very grateful for any support. I am standing to give our town the new direction it needs.

⛪ Pleasure to visit Paisley Abbey, one of Scotland's most stunning landmarks. A world-class attraction, rightly applying for UNESCO World Heritage status as part of a wider network of Cluniac sites across Europe. Thanks to David & The Revd Jim Gibson for the discussion.

In Paisley, just like in Hamilton, only @scottishlabour.bsky.social can beat the SNP in 2026 and give our community a new direction. Good to be out campaigning again this morning in Hawkhead with the Paisley Labour team!

🏥 A new NHS health centre in Paisley could make an important and much-needed addition to our town. This proposal must be properly explored without delay, and I will do all I can to encourage NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government to progress it.

🇦🇹 All the best to Johnstone Burgh FC today! #MonTheBurgh

The SNP's Scotland in 2025: ✅ Waste £1 BILLION of taxpayers' money on over-budget new Barlinnie prison. ❌ Close and fail to invest in valued community Police Stations. My latest Paisley Daily Express column 👇

🇬🇧🇪🇺 The SNP’s response to the UK-EU deal is miserable, opportunistic, inconsistent and out of touch.

🇬🇧🇪🇺 While the new UK Labour government is resetting our relationship with the EU, the SNP only offer grandstanding and complaining from the sidelines. Clip from last week’s Europe debate in @parliament.scot last week 👇

Tomorrow I will vote against the Assisted Dying (Scotland) Bill.

8/5/45 was a milestone in world history - a terrible evil defeated. My grandad who fought in WW2 told me the emotions of #VEDay were relief, joy & sadness. On #VEDay80 we thank that generation & remember their sacrifices, collective resolve & courage that was crucial in victory.

After 18 years of the SNP, we need #ANewDirection in Scotland with a @scottishlabour.bsky.social government focused on getting the basics right like fixing our NHS.

The SNP Education Secretary skipped her own Education Questions. It seems she may have put party interests before her responsibilities to Parliament. Ministerial Code states Ministers must adhere to the Accountability principle. Will she explain herself? Will she apologise?

Given the state of Scotland’s education system - it’s surely not too much to ask Jenny Gilruth to do her job and turn up in Parliament for education questions. Scotland’s children should be her priority, not her party’s interests. www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1470853...

This #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth, I'm supporting Bowel Cancer UK's #PassItOn campaign by sharing the symptoms. The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it's likely to be. Learn more about the possible symptoms of the disease: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-...

Delighted to join Lochfield Ladies Bowling Club for their Opening Day. Thank you for the warm welcome - it is always lovely to visit. Best wishes to all our local bowling clubs for a successful season.

PROTECT OUR KIDS In the light of serious public concern, I’m calling on Renfrewshire Council chiefs to urgently install CCTV in Barshaw Park. Agree? Sign the petition here:- survey.labour.org.uk/cctvforbarshaw

⚽️⚽️ The Gleniffer High Haaland! ⚽️⚽️ Cameron Keay recently scored 4 goals for Scotland schoolboys against England. Great to meet Cameron and his mum to hand over a copy of a @parliament.scot motion I tabled to recognise his achievement and to wish him well with his career & studies.

☀️Great weather and campaign session in Gallowhill yesterday afternoon. After nearly 20 years of the SNP failing to get the basics right, a Scottish Labour Government would give our country the new direction it needs.

🚂 Older people in the West of Scotland are facing staggering rail fare hikes - due to the SNP Government’s underfunding of SPT and our local councils.

📺 This week I met the cast & crew of River City, which is due to be axed, at the BBC Dumbarton Studios which is to be shut. The studio is key to TV & film opportunities in Scotland. I've lodged a @parliament.scot motion with Jackie Baillie urging a rethink👇🏻 parliament.scot/chamber-and-co…

🚂 👵 Rail fares for older people in Strathclyde are set to skyrocket due to Scottish Government underfunding SPT and local councils. Increases of 150% in ticket prices will only put older people off taking the train. My question to the SNP Finance Secretary👇🏻

Today is #PurpleDay - an opportunity to raise awareness about epilepsy, which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. For more information, visit @epilepsysociety.bsky.social or epilepsysociety.org.uk

📰 My latest Renfrewshire Report is currently being delivered to update residents on some of my work over the last few months. If you don’t receive a copy in the next week and would like one please email: [email protected]

Not one SNP Minister has lost their job over the ferries fiasco but sending work to Poland risks jobs in Inverclyde. Me in the Greenock Telegraph 👇🏻 www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/opinion/2502...

In the West of Scotland, research shows that 65% of women diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer experienced delays getting surgery. I support @targetovarian.bsky.social call for equal access to ovarian cancer surgery in order to change this.

A pleasure to visit ACCORD Hospice in Paisley — a crucial service with inspirational staff. I had a valuable chat with CEO Jacki Smart about the need for sustained and secure public funding of hospice care. Thanks to Jacki and to David for showing me around.

🧵 📺 [1/1] River City is an iconic and popular show. It is deeply disappointing news for the actors, production crew and many viewers that BBC Scotland are planning to axe the show after over 20 years of success. www.bbc.com/news/article...

☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all those celebrating Irish culture and its invaluable contribution to the West of Scotland and the world.

[1/3] It is a disgrace that Ferguson Marine has not been awarded this contract and that this important work is going overseas to Poland instead of coming to Port Glasgow. Ferguson Marine has a track record of building smaller vessels on time and in budget.

🚘 Renfrewshire road accidents are soaring - UP by over a quarter. The SNP @scottishgov.bsky.social first looked into speed awareness courses 16 YEARS AGO and agree they work — but STILL haven't introduced them. It’s time for serious action to make our roads safer.

☀️🌹 Making the most of a sunny Sunday. Great to be out with this fantastic @scottishlabour.bsky.social team in Shortroods and Gockston yesterday to listen to local residents.

A pleasure to visit the Watt Institution in Greenock recently. Great to see the vast collection of artifacts and artworks. A fantastic example of what Inverclyde has to offer visiting cruise ship tourists. More in my latest Greenock Telegraph column:- www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/opinion/2498...