From the end of Parliamentary Business tonight (Wednesday 25th March), the Scottish Parliament enters the dissolution period prior to the upcoming elections on 7th May. I was pleased to ask my final question in the chamber earlier today.
During this time, all MSPs cease their roles. Office teams will be able to assist with urgent enquiries and continue to progress existing cases until the Parliament reconvenes for the next session following the election.
It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the Falkirk East constituency for the last five years and it is not without regret that I decided not to stand again.
I have met with many constituents on a broad range of issues, with caseworks statistics steadily increasing year on year. My team and I have dealt with almost 7,000 cases.
I have built relationships with businesses and charities across the constituency.
I thoroughly enjoyed each school visit, with our young learners often asking just as important questions as those asked in the chamber!
I have worked tirelessly endeavouring to create a sustainable future and job security for the Grangemouth cluster following business decisions taken by PetroIneos in recent years. For the last five years, I sat on several cross-party groups which I hope will continue in the next session, and I particularly enjoyed convening the CPGs on Women in Enterprise, Music and St Andrew’s Day. I was also the Vice-Convenor of the Economy & Fair Work Committee and sat on the Finance & Public Administration Committee - I am proud we were able to scrutinise Government spend and legislation from an economic perspective prior to Stage 3 decisions, and hold stakeholders to account.
I wish SNP constituency candidate, Martyn Day, all the best in his campaign and wish him well for the election, where he will continue to put the people of Scotland first.
