As Christmas approaches and 2025 draws to a close, we are given an opportunity to reflect on the year gone by and all we are thankful for. I wish to thank all the excellent organisations, charities and individuals I have met across West Lothian this year, like WASPI West Lothian Group, Children First in Bathgate, the Linlithgow Hub Repair Shop and the Fair Justice System for Scotland Group – all of whom spend their time working towards important causes and making a real difference to our communities.
Of course, this is my last term as your local MSP, as I will be retiring in May 2026. I am very proud to have worked on a number of campaigns that have directly impacted local families and households in West Lothian. In my time as an MSP I helped to save Children’s Services at St John’s Hospital, secured the Bathgate to Airdrie Rail Line, including the addition of a station in Blackridge, secured the four way junction in Whitburn, ensured a taskforce was set up to help the Vion Hall workers in Broxburn get new jobs, helped bring Party at the Palace to Linlithgow and supported the Winchburgh Development including campaigning for the train station that the developers promised and stated they would be main funders for.
In Government, I am immensely proud to have been the Education Secretary who trialled free school meals and scrapped the unfair Graduate Endowment Fee. As Transport Secretary I have delivered free bus travel for under 22s and ensured that peak rail fares are gone for good.
And as we reflect on the year gone by, we also remember. We remember those we’ve lost and the impact they had on our lives. Our emergency services, local charities and support groups are working round the clock throughout the festive period to bring comfort and company to those who need it most. They deserve our thanks and gratitude all year round, but especially at this time of year.
Sadly war and conflict continue around the globe, and my thoughts especially are with the people of Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, and those across West Lothian who have shown support to those who are suffering. As we look forward to the new year, we should do so with hope and optimism and wish for peace across the world.
I wish all of my Constituents across West Lothian a very Merry Christmas and offer my best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.