Free speech...

I see from today's Greenock Telegraph that the leader of the local SNP Group is once again trying to deny me my right of free speech in the constitutional debate. Not content with constantly complaining about the content of my column in the 'Tele' he now wants to prevent me from airing my views on Twitter.

I simply won't let him and the other Cybernats shout me down. I have never given in to bullying.

If anyone should apologise for his conduct on Twitter it is Christopher McEleny. Not content with talking about the religious beliefs of fellow councillors on Twitter he is now trying to associate those of us who support 'Better Together' with the Orange Order in a clear attempt to use sectarianism for political gain.

I won't take any lessons in morality from him. I have never before known a councillor in Inverclyde to openly use religion in such a way for perceived political advantage.

Curiously local news reporters seem to have missed these tweets by Councillor McEleny.

The remarks that I made about the international security situation are entirely relevant to the constitutional debate. The first job of any government is the security and defence of its people.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that breaking up the UK's army, navy, air force and security services will weaken the defence and security of not only the rest of the UK but also Scotland.  The actual process of break-up will also be a major distraction that our services and Governments can do without when we live in such dangerous times.

This is one of the many reasons that I am opposed to the break-up of Britain.

Appointment as COSLA Labour Group Depute Leader...

At the recent COSLA Labour Group Annual General Meeting I was appointed Depute Group Leader having previously held the post of Group Secretary.

I am looking forward to working with the Group Leader Councillor Rhondda Geekie, Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, and the other Group officer bearers to provide a strong and effective Labour voice for Scottish local government in the year ahead.

Good to be home...

I returned yesterday from a two week family holiday in Menorca.

When we touched down just after noon at Manchester Airport it felt good to be 'home', back on British soil for the first time in a fortnight. It also felt good to be able to show my UK passport.

A few hours later as we crossed the 'border' into Scotland there was the usual feeling of being back in God's own country. Of course we still had a fair distance to travel to reach our actual home passing through a number of Scottish Council areas - Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire -  before we got there.

As we counted down the miles to Glasgow there was the growing sense of anticipation and belonging.

Passing through Glasgow and then past Paisley and the airport we were on the last lap on our way back to God's own county of Inverclyde and our home in Kilmacolm, a few miles up the road from where my heart really belongs: God's own town of Port Glasgow.

It is good to be home.

Welcome for new homes in Woodhall...

I am delighted to see that work has started on phase 2 of the Woodhall new build programme in my ward when I was away on holiday.

These 20 new homes will be available to the Woodhall residents who were not allocated a new house in  phase 1. I am sure that they will be even more delighted that work has finally started on their new homes.

Work will start later this year on a further 15 houses at Woodhall, with priority being given to residents due to be re-housed from the Clune Park area.

I would hope that it won't be too long before there is a sufficient upturn in the private housing market to make the development of houses for sale on the remaining parts of the Woodhall site a viable proposition.