In Defence of Opposition

In politics, opposition matters. The politicians and researchers in opposition parties who can read, research and interrogate Government policies and hold them to account are part of what keeps Government honest and our democracy healthy.

The Tyranny of the Tiny

Last week, Elon Musk launched a rocket that could take a man to Mars.

One week on

Just over a week ago, I started my campaign to be Inverclyde Labour’s next General Election candidate. I really appreciate all the support I’ve received so far. You can see what people have had to say below.

Between now and the selection meeting on June 1st, I’m looking forward to…

The problems faced by the Scottish Labour Party aren’t unique

If you were involved in Thursday’s election, and the long wait for results after, today you’re probably starting to feel human again. Your body clock is returning to normal, you’ve managed to resist the sugar cravings and have a Haribo-free 24 hours and your brain…

Public Sentiment is Everything

Over 150 years ago, in Ottawa, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln recognised something that is as true in politics today as it was then. Addressing the crowd in the first of seven debates against his opponent for the US senate, Lincoln observed:

I’m standing to be Inverclyde’s next Labour MP

Originally posted November 1st 2015

“Let’s renew our party’s historic commitment to the NHS” — My speech to Scottish Labour Party Conference

This weekend at Scottish Labour Party conference in Perth, I spoke in the health debate about our NHS, the challenges it is facing and my own experience in…

Review: Brown’s book reminds us why we need to organise to deliver our ideas

This review first appeared on Labour List.

In the closing chapters of his new memoir, Gordon Brown writes that “in politics, nostalgia is a self-indulgent exercise”. Unfortunately, for many who will read Brown’s account of…

Food poverty in Inverclyde on the rise

In the Greenock Telegraph today, I raised the issue of the increasing number of people in…