Monday September 30th 2024
Christine Grahame MSP writes her monthly column for Midlothian View
It is 25 years since the Scottish Parliament reconvened. As Winnie Ewing famously said at the time these first words from the Presiding Officer’s chair “I have the opportunity to make a short speech and I want to begin with the words that I have always wanted either to say or to hear someone else say: the Scottish Parliament, which adjourned on 25th March 1707, is hereby reconvened.”
I was there that day (obviously not in 1707!) to hear them and for the time being, until the end of this session in 2026 will remain working for you. After 27 years and with a great sense of loss as I love the constituency, I will retire.
Much has changed since then, especially in the work we do. I started with one assistant and now have one full time and four part-time. Most of their work involves dealing with issues you bring to me whether personal or to do with your community.
I myself sit on two committees: Rural and the Parliament’s Corporate Body but mostly it is a privilege to help you if I can with problems. Supermarket surgeries I began years ago as I felt you might find it more convenient just to pop by rather than make an appointment. These can still be done of course though security for all politicians has meant if meeting at my Galashiels office then it is no longer possible just to drop in.
So, there we were, on Saturday, with a celebration of 25 years. The King and Queen were there but the highlight for me was to see the Parliament’s silver mace being carried in by Robert our postie. He too has been there 25 years and kens all of us. That was a lovely surprise and made us all smile.
My local hero was there too Judith Cleghorn, a name which everyone in Galashiels will recognise. Like my elf (I hope she will forgive me) we are both in our later years, but she is full of drive for her community. If there is something needing done, she’s your woman.
Anyway, we had I hope a great day. There were speeches of course from the King and party leaders, but best of all was the rendition of Highland Cathedral by the Sistema orchestra supported by the Big Noise, which is a programme for children from tougher areas, using music to bring them out of themselves. The young folk were just great. There was as they say, hardly a dry eye in the hoose.
My friend and colleague Stuart McMillan MSP is the Parly’s piper and he played the royals out from the Parly garden. We could watch that on a screen in the Chamber.
After that we all mingled and chatted in the Garden Lobby and I saw an chatted with colleagues across the parties with their partners and children smiling away. I wore a silver jacket (not my usual Grahame tartan attire) and only a few realised it was to do with the number 25! Perhaps too subtle for politicians? Silver shoes too. Why not? It was my 25 year celebration too.
Tweet Share on Facebook
