Dalai Lama

05/07/2012

The Dalai Lama has once again visited Scotland. This time he had engagements in Dundee, Inverness and Edinburgh, including a reception with the Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament, but Dunfermline residents may remember that we too received the Tibetan spiritual leader in 2004.

His Holiness works tirelessly to promote peace, freedom and inter-racial harmony.  He has carried his message throughout the world for many decades, and I believe it is an honour for Scotland to have again received one of the most important and admired spiritual leaders of modern times.

As he approaches his 77th birthday, I wish him continued heath and happiness.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.

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Police and Fire Reform

05/07/2012

Now that The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act passed into law last week, Scotland’s police are set to merge into a single force, with interim headquarters at Tulliallan.

Though the reforms were necessitated by the ConDems slashing Scotland’s block grant, I am optimistic that the new force will deliver even greater efficiency and effectiveness than before. Very little should change on the ground but, by eliminating cost duplication across the country, we should avoid mirroring the deplorable situation in England and Wales, where an estimated 16,000 frontline police officers are being axed.

I look forward to the new force being up and running by next April.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.

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Better Together?

05/07/2012

The politicians opposed to Independence for Scotland are now collaborating in a newly launched Tory, Labour and Liberal Democrat campaign called ‘Better Together’.

A wag might be tempted to warn that this carefully chosen name should not to be confused with the ‘Better Together’ NHS programme, particularly since NHS Scotland is thoroughly better off for being independent from the NHS down south! Read more of this post

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Update for Constituents

14/06/2012

Following recent press publicity concerning my former marriages, I was pleased to be interviewed by police on Wednesday and cooperated fully with their enquiries. Contrary to some media reports (not the Dunfermline Press), I was not arrested at home but attended Glenrothes Police Station for an interview.

For the past few months I have been subjected to a campaign of gossip, innuendo and salacious allegations, and therefore welcome the opportunity I might now have to state my side of the case in possible Court proceedings, which I am confident will clear me of any wrongdoing. Read more of this post

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Yes Scotland

14/06/2012

A new website called Yes Scotland has launched, which is filled with information about how an independent Scotland would work.

The site — a collaboration between a variety of pro-Independence groups — also contains insights from people across Scottish society, including the business community, about why they believe Independence is the path to a better, fairer and more prosperous Scotland. Read more of this post

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World Heritage Bid for Bridge

14/06/2012

A bid will be made for the Forth Bridge to gain UNESCO World Heritage Site status, after the Bridge topped a Tentative List of 11 UK nominations. If the bid is successful, the rail bridge will become Scotland’s sixth World Heritage Site — a great boost for Fife in terms of prestige and tourism.

I believe this recognition has been a long time coming. The Forth Bridge is famous around the world as an icon of Scotland and of pioneering Scottish engineering. We should never forget that it was designed and built without the benefit of computer-aided design and manufacturing, or so many of the methods we now take for granted. Read more of this post

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International Study Programmes

24/05/2012

International Study Programmes (ISP), a well-established training company from Cheltenham,  has made Dunfermline its official Scottish learning centre for training European teachers of English. Read more of this post

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Parliamentary Snooker

24/05/2012

In Parliament, I recently lodged successful motions to recognise the professional impact of two famous locals on the world of snooker.

Dunfermline resident Michaela Tabb has now refereed for her second time at the recent World Snooker Championship final.

Ms Tabb, also known as ‘Lady Ref’, has achieved several ground-breaking milestones in the sport — as the first woman to referee at a professional-ranking snooker tournament, at a world-ranking snooker final and at the World Snooker Championship final itself. Read more of this post

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Council Elections

24/05/2012

Congratulations to all the recently elected Fife Councillors. I look forward to working with them as Dunfermline MSP.

Our councillors have a vital duty towards the people of Fife to provide the best possible standards of service. Their decisions affect all of us, whether our concerns are with housing, roads, social work, recycling, education or the wide range of other services Fife Council provides. Read more of this post

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Local Elections

26/04/2012

The Local Council Elections are almost upon us. On 3rd May we will each vote for a total of three or four councillors, in order of preference, to serve on Fife Council.

When elected Dunfermline MSP, I announced my decision to stand down as Councillor for West Fife and Coastal Villages. I now wish the best of luck to Kate Stewart and Len Woods, who are standing for election in my current Villages ward. Read more of this post

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Scotland Bill

26/04/2012

Last week in Parliament I was pleased to vote for the Scotland Bill, which passed unanimously.

This Bill will allow the Scottish Government to raise £5 to £6 billion of Scotland’s budget. Scottish ministers will also be able to borrow around £2.7 billion, which can be used to fund projects to boost Scotland’s economic recovery. Read more of this post

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Appeal

26/04/2012

Having considered my options and consulted with family, friends and supporters regarding my recent expulsion (pending appeal) from the SNP, I am now advising SNP Headquarters how I wish to proceed with an appeal to the Party. I will not be issuing any further comments on this SNP matter, or on allegations made against me, beyond my update for Dunfermline constituents, dated 18th April 2012, published on my website at http://www.billwalkermsp.com, and any further information carried in my regular column in the Dunfermline Press. Any questions regarding an appeal should be put to the SNP.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.

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Aircraft Carriers

05/04/2012

The second bow section for the aircraft carriers being assembled at Rosyth Dockyard has arrived, excellent news for the many people in Dunfermline employed at the Dockyard. Read more of this post

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Hydro-electric Schemes in Fife

05/04/2012

The Scottish Government’s target of producing all of Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020 is ambitious but it can be met — and for the sake of future generations, I believe it must be. Read more of this post

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Prostate Cancer

05/04/2012

Despite claiming the lives of two men every day in Scotland, prostate cancer — the most common cancer among men — receives less media attention and funding than many other major cancers. Read more of this post

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Living Wage

15/03/2012

I was pleased to speak recently in a Chamber Debate about the living wage. Supply and demand can drive progress, but there must be a manageable system based on human values — a decent living wage as part of the regulated limit below which no one should fall. Read more of this post

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Saline First Responders

15/03/2012

Another community group, this time in the West Fife Villages, is providing a valuable service and is currently seeking volunteers and fund-raisers.

The Saline First Responders cover Saline, Blairhall, Comrie, Oakley, Carnock, Gowkhall, Steelend and outlying farms, delivering emergency medical assistance while ambulance crews make their way to patients. Read more of this post

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Tourism Boost

15/03/2012

Dunfermline and West Fife Local Tourist Association are progressing with an innovative idea that they say could boost the Fife economy by £1.1 to £2.25 million p.a.. Read more of this post

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Burns Night

23/02/2012

Dunfermline SNP recently celebrated a rather later than usual Burns Night, with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, as guest-of-honour. Read more of this post

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The Big Question

23/02/2012

Preliminary talks on the Independence Referendum took place last week between Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, and the Scottish Secretary, Michael Moore, followed by a more substantial meeting with David Cameron, during the UK Prime Minster’s one-day visit to Scotland. Read more of this post

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Excellent Renewable Energy News

23/02/2012

Proposals for a brand new hydro-electric scheme with pumped water storage, at Loch Lochy, north of Fort William, should be welcomed across Scotland. Such a scheme would reduce any arguments in favour of building further wind farms, including in Fife. Read more of this post

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Abbeyview Project

02/02/2012

I am following the progress of an innovative new training, advice and support service now running in Abbeyview, which aims to help local people into work. The Abbeyview Project located in Allan Crescent will establish an Information and Recreation Centre for the community, particularly aimed at young people. Read more of this post

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Referendum Consultation

02/02/2012

Last week before the world’s media in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, detailed the Scottish Government’s proposals for the Independence Referendum. He invited the people of Scotland to take part in the Consultation process. Read more of this post

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Destination Dunfermline

02/02/2012

As Scotland’s ancient capital, Dunfermline is a city steeped in history. Our Abbey is the final resting place of more Scottish royalty than anywhere outside Iona. Robert the Bruce lies beneath the pulpit, one of an array of colourful figures tied to our city, such as King Malcolm Canmore, Saint Margaret, William Wallace and Andrew Carnegie. Read more of this post

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Unusual Weather

12/01/2012

From high hedges to high winds — Fife has had more than its share of odd weather recently.  My personal experience is not the worst case, but I sympathise with those who have felt the effects of our unusual weather. Read more of this post

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