21/12/2016 Politics Scotland

Good afternoon and welcome to the programme.

Labour MP for Copeland Jamie Reed - one of Jeremy Corbyn's most

persistent backbench critics - is standing down from Parliament.

of the Scottish Governments plan to protect 'Scotland's

A controversial treatment for incontinence may not be

worse than any other, according to a report

Mesh implants were suspended by the then Health Secretary

Alex Neil two years ago, pending further research

although it has emerged use of the treatment continues

But today's research - part of the review mesh implants

for incontinence may not lead to more complications

Before I had the surgery I was really active, I walked five miles

every day. Lorna Fowle's mesh implants of 2008 have changed her

life. I have chronic pain. A study out today looked at hospital be at

the up to five years after my surgery. Some women can take ten,

even up to 15 years before the problems arise. In my case, it was

six and half years before I got surgery to have it removed. The

actual removal surgery is really complicated. The substance attaches

itself to organs and tissues, like I said, so it is really difficult to

get it out. The report found that mesh should only be used in certain

circumstances. Resch surgery for prolapse, particularly of the

bladder or the bowel, Stewart not be recommended as a first line

treatment. -- should not be recommended. Com firstly, mesh

surgery for incontinence is supported in that instance. The lead

clinician on the study said complications could happen much

later, as in Lorna's case. The study compared the number of adverse

events that required admittance to hospital following procedures. But,

it didn't look at the severity of these complications or, indeed the

impact of this particular complications on patient's quality

of life. The Scottish Government's own report on mesh will be published

in the New Year. The Lorna, the damage is irreversible.

The letter that Jamie Reid has just published said he is quitting front

line politics at Westminster because he wants to take up a job with the

nuclear industry in a plant in his constituency in Copland. He says as

well he has a family that is growing up and the stresses and strains of

being an MP or a long way away the Westminster -- as long way from

Westminster, means he feels it is right that he stands down. He will

do so at the end of January and take up his new position in February. He

is, of course as well as being an MP of quite long standing in the

north-west of England a critic of Jeremy Corbyn. But in the letter

that he has produced he mentions nothing of that, he says he gets on

with Joe Meek Colburn Fewell on a personal basis. This is certainly

not an early Christmas present the Jeremy Corbyn, it will bring out

what could be a fascinating by-election. Jamie Reid had a

majority of two and half thousand at the general election in 2015. The

Conservatives were second, Ukip with third with more than 6000 votes.

This part of England almost mirror image Scotland inasmuch as, Cumbria

voted 62% to leave the European Union, the highest place anywhere in

the UK that registered at boats to leave the European Union. Ukip will

hope they can chip away at Labour support. It will take a swing of

just over 4% for the Conservatives to take that seat from Labour. It

presages an extremely interesting by-election early next year. So,

what ever Mr Reid says in his letter, one can issue the reaction

from Jeremy Corbyn will be "Thanks for nothing, mate" yes it will be

thank you this is a Christmas present I didn't fully one that this

time of year. Ukip I think will feel, because of the strength of the

leave macro voting Cumbria that they can target the Labour vote. They may

not hope to win the by-election but if they took a significant number of

it away but Labour then the Conservatives would be pretty

confident that they could take this one. Jeremy Corbyn,

quite frankly, needs this like a hole in the head at the moment. Are

there any other murmurs because the anti-Corbyn people in the Labour

Party have gone very quiet over the last few weeks and months since he

won his second leadership context. Is this an indication that something

might be happening or is it a one off. I think this is just a one off.

Famous last words are predictions not been terribly accurate this

year. What happened after Corbyn was re-elected in September, the

majority of MPs who do not support him, thought actually we are just

going to have to make the best of this now. Remember, Corbyn was

elected with a large majority in September this year -- a larger

majority in this year then he was last year. I think most Labour MPs

think with Brexit and the boundary reviews that quite frankly they had

better just keep their heads down. But, it will be very interesting,

once this by-election takes place and who knows what the result will

be, whether they, the critics of Jeremy Corbyn, of which in the

Parliamentary Labour Party there are still a great deal, whether they

will unfold in. Thank you very much, indeed.

My guest today is commentator Geoff Aberdein former special

Corbyn must think, what I done to deserve this? I am fascinated to

know how Labour will position themselves in this by-election. Ukip

will no doubt make it Brexit, and hurrying up Brexit. Where Labour are

left in this position is fascinating. This could be quite

cataclysmic bull Corbyn if it goes the wrong way. Although they would

say, to be fed to Labour, no matter what you media people have been

saying, in actual elections they haven't done very bad. That is true,

but bear in mind, the point that David made about the adverse, in

this area 62% voted to leave macro, it is going to be a difficult Pask.

However, if Jeremy Corbyn manages to win this he will be be energised.

What you make of where you are with Brexit at the moment? All over the

place? Yesterday's intervention from the Scottish Government was very

interesting. The politics of this fascinating. Nicola Sturgeon has

quite forcefully said to Theresa May the ball is in your court, these are

my plans and it is up to you to respond to them. But, it is not

without weakness, if Theresa May comes back and says... If I was hair

I would ask my officials to come back with something we could go back

to Scotland with all stock may be something about immigration. Maybe

something, corporation tax. If she does that, it will be difficult for

the SMP... Plus, you say they'd go, have control maybe not entirely, of

fisheries. All coming you can run agriculture, so perhaps we are not

paying VAT receipt into the European Union so here is a few... If she

does that it puts the SMP in an interesting position. There is a lot

to play for, however the reverse is also true, to ease a pay -- if

Theresa May to Mrs this out of hand... The other ambiguity of

course, these things always seem cut and dry at the start. The other

thing is the British Government will say, depending on what we already

know about the Nissan deal, within one is, there is a possibility they

will say we are sort of leaving the single market, but we are bit in,

bit out, are you really going to leave the United Kingdom on that

basis? Yes throughout this whole debate there's been differentiation

between access and membership of the single market. If Theresa May can

save that we will have certain access it will be difficult for

Nicola Sturgeon. It has been good politics for the SMP. They need to

get on the front foot and I think she is done. -- for the SNP. It is

getting more complicated for them, the SNP have been terribly united,

there are a few cracks appearing. We know that Alex Neil, former

minister, voted leave. We know a third of SMP voters voted leave.

This morning we have a nautical in the Herald saying, -- an article in

the Herald. ... It's been a couple of years since I have been in

government... And not blaming you. I understand. The point I would make

is that political gravity always at fly in politics. The popular for

ever. Nine years of running government, the SNP is coming into

the same problems that other governments do. What did you make of

the article, if you say that maybe Scotland in Europe isn't very

attractive any more, we should decouple independence referendum

from your lip, you can't say we are going to have an independence

referendum because of Brexit but it has nothing to do with Europe. Is

what he is saying code for let's not have an independence referendum for

while anyway? Yes, the problem with that is if you take the perspective

of the Scottish Government, they went into last year's election on a

manifesto pledge to have potentially a referendum if there was a leave

vote in the UK and" in Scotland and that is what has happened. So, she

is following Bill on her manifesto pledge. It is difficult for Nicola

Sturgeon to come up with another justification for the time being

given that was in a manifesto. Listen, matching you are sitting

there late used to be of Alex Salmond, with Nicola Sturgeon.

You've done on this, you are feeling quite pleased at how went down

yesterday and you are having a meeting this morning in Somerset

that was all great, but what exactly do we do next, what would you and

speak? -- and someone says. The problem is you are not putting a

gauge of this debate in the hands of Westminster government and now we

have to wait for the response. There is a committee in January in which

we will find out more. But do keep on is you aren't leaving it up to

Theresa May to decide what the next that will be. Yes, to be fed to be

Scottish Government it is quite clear, looking at the document that

they have realised that any idea of Scotland staying in the European

Economic Area, when Britain leaves the single market is entirely in the

gift of the British Government, because it's the member state, you

are absolutely right in what you say that they had to concede that. It

wouldn't have been credible to come out and say that they would join the

EU no matter what the British Government says. Overall, it is good

politics, they have been on the back foot, but now they are on the front

foot and have been proactive about the most important public debate

today. I just worry, from her perspective, she was expecting

Theresa May to dismiss out of hand to say yes we will do this, I think

there will be a halfway house and if there is it'll be interesting to see

how the SNP respond. The other problem will be the blog is called,

what you do if you are Nicola Sturgeon, I don't know what your

view is. It is quite clear that Alex Salmond is keen on another

referendum, Nicola Sturgeon, neighbourly seem to be quite sure

whether she's trying to keep everyone happy when she really wants

one. -- nobody seems to be quite sure. All bets off. If you were in

the situation with the polls the way they are, people say they don't want

another referendum. If I compare it to when I was in government

intervention and 12, the polls where at 28%, entered above 45, and there

is no doubt that a yes vote has been declining slightly in the polls

recently, but still in the mid-40s. If I was the UK Government I would

be saying that is not low enough for us to call the bluff of Nicola

Sturgeon, it is still relatively high. But, would you be thinking

that a sign of the Scottish Government to go to another

referendum. I think campaign to change things, either way, one thing

that a surgeon and even those in the government would admit is that they

have been promoting or defending independent since the last

referendum. There was nothing proactive about independence.

Campaigns can change things would be better or the words. I think the

government will be well aware that this can be won or lost. To be

continued, very shortly but first the member's debate in the chamber

today is led by the health spokesperson for the Scottish

I call on Alison Johnstone to call on the debate. A microphone please?

Could you move to the next seat, perhaps? We are being jinxed. Any

better. Thank you. I am very glad to have the opportunity of leading this

debate this afternoon. I would like to thank Katrina Ogilvy and Karen

Stewart whose petitions have gathered so much support and thanks

as well to the national charity supporting premature and sick babies

and many local families who raise funds for neonatal units, including

members from Simpsons special care baby 's unit in Lothian who are here

today. I want to focus on two important matters this afternoon.

The private members bill in the House of Commons that seeks to

extend maternity and paternity leave and pay for the parents of premature

babies and the steps we can take in Scotland to improve financial

support to families whose babies are born prematurely or require new

natal care. I want to express my heartfelt support for Steve Reed 's

private members bill in the Commons. Legislation relating to parental

leave and pay is currently a reserved matter, however I am sure

many of us here wish the campaign to extend pay for parents of premature

babies every success. I understand that allowing an additional week of

the statutory maternity pay for every full week the babies born

before team -- term and this additional leave could be used as a

shared parental leave between mothers and fathers. Campaigners

have been calling for such changes to parental leave legislation for

years. Currently parents premature babies are not entitled to any

additional or paternity leave. In the difficult, distressing,

unexpected period between the babies expected birth and the due date,

time spent on a pre-natal ward. Families with prenatal care can't be

faced with an average additional expense of ?218 a week on extra

costs like childcare or travel are taken into account. These costs can

impact on the number of visitors that parents can have with their

premature baby. That was Alison Johnstone speaking there.

The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has set out her plans

for protecting Scotland's place in Europe after Brexit.

She said she wanted Britain to remain in the single market -

but if that wasn't possible, Scotland could stay in,

Here's what she had to say to MSPs in the chamber yesterday.

Scotland's place in Europe say it was a practical proposal to keep

Scotland in the single market. It details the additional powers that

the Scottish Government will need to serve and protect and promote the

economic interests of Scotland in the post-Brexit landscape. Let me be

very clear these proposals fall short of what I consider to be the

best option for Scotland and the UK, full membership of the European

Union. In the unlikely event that the UK Government had a change of

heart they would have my change -- support but that is not an outcome

in my gift. I am seeking to seek a sensible way forward for Scotland

that respects the reality of the situation we find ourselves in. In

that regard these proposals represent a significant compromise

on the part of the Scottish Government, not a high bar for the

UK Government to pass. Let me give you the detail of the paper. It sets

out in considerable depth while keeping our place the single market

matters so much, in matters principally to our economy, jobs,

trade, living standards and investment, it is estimated that

being outside the single market could cost the Scottish economy

80,000 jobs. Workers could lose ?2000 a year after a decade of a

hard Brexit. Being in the single market also ensures protection for

workers and consumer rights and facilitates the skills that our

economy depends on and allows us all to

travel, study and work across Europe if we so wish. It would guarantee

the rights of EU citizens already living here, something that

disgracefully UK Government is still not done six months on. It provides

a platform for cooperation on some of the major issues of our times,

like climate change. The paper sets out the primary ways in which

Scotland boss might place in the single market can be protected and

it has three principal strands. We propose that the UK as a whole

should stay in the single market by remaining a party to the European

economic and it should also stay in the customs of the EU and the single

market are not one and the same, they are it is important to remember

that membership of the EU and the single market are not one and the

same, they are two distinct I accept there is a mandate in England and a

stew take the UK out of the EU but I do not accept that there is a

mandate to take any part of the UK out of the single market, it would

make no economic sense whatsoever for the UK to leave the single

market and it would be economic folly of the highest order and it

would be entirely democratic I accept there is a mandate in England

and a still take the UK out of the EU but I do not accept that there is

a mandate to take any part of the UK out of the single market, it would

make no economic sense whatsoever for the UK to leave the single

market and it would be economic folly of the highest order and it

would be entirely for the UK to remain within the single market. The

Scottish Government will continue to argue and seek to build consensus

with others of like mind across the UK for continued UK membership of

the. However I reluctantly accept that as government, that seems at

this stage an unlikely outcome. The Tories quite unbelievably in my view

seem intent on placing a higher priority on cutting immigration than

on absolutely anything else. The economy, jobs, living standards, or

lag way behind on their list of priorities. As a result the second

strand of this paper proposes ways in which Scotland could stay in the

single market even if the rest of the UK chooses to leave. In that

respect it is worth, given the rhetoric of the Conservative

government, that seems at this stage an unlikely outcome. The Tories

quite unbelievably in my view seem intent on placing a higher priority

on cutting immigration than on absolutely anything else. The

economy, jobs, living standards, or lag way behind on their list of

priorities. As a result the second strand of this paper proposes ways

in which Scotland could stay in the single market even if the rest of

the UK chooses to leave. In that respect it is that what we would

propose would not see Scotland having a different relationship with

the customs union to the rest of Scotland to be in both the single

market and the customs union. We hope the UK will stay in the customs

union and if it does say this proposal would enable Scotland being

both the single market and the. However if the UK opts to leave then

Scotland would not be in the customs union is why I argue that the UK

should stay in it although those disadvantages would be minimised if

Scotland remained in the single market there will be disadvantages

to Scottish businesses if we are not in the customs union and that is why

I argue that the UK should stay in it although those disadvantages

would be minimised if Scotland remained in the single under this

proposal the border between Scotland and England would not be an external

EU customs border. In effect a customs union between Scotland and

the UK at the moment would continue. The final strand of in effect a

customs union between Scotland and the UK at the moment would continue.

The final strand of deals with the powers of this Scottish parliament.

It is in my view time for a fundamental the paper argues that in

light of the removal of rights and responsibilities the paper argues

that in light of the removal of rights and responsibilities provided

by EU law demands considerably enhanced demands considerably

Parliament. We look at three broad categories of power that must now

could be considered. It looks at the powers set to strengthened demands

in this Parliament. We look at three broad categories of power that must

now be considered. It looks at the powers set to be such as fishing,

the environment, justice and agriculture. I hope all members will

agree unreservedly that these powers must remain such as fishing, the

environment, justice and agriculture. I hope all members will

agree unreservedly that these powers must remain firmly within our

competence. If there is a need to agree done by agreement and not in

position. Brexit must not become an agreement on any matter such as

animal welfare it must be done by agreement and not imposition. Brexit

must not become for a Westminster power grab. Secondly powers to be

repatriated which as employment law and social protection would allow

this Parliament to protect cue rights and avoid the risk of a

deregulated race to currently devolved should also now be just

considered for devolution, powers such as employment law and social

protection would allow this Parliament to protect cue rights and

avoid the risk of a deregulated race to by Westminster. Thirdly, a much

broader range of powers proposed in this paper must also be considered,

for example power over immigration. It is worth noting I think that

growing support across the UK for greater flexibility over immigration

is now increasingly being expressed. In short the proposals in the paper

are detailed and serious and reasonable. They are designed

deliberately and unashamedly to respect the Scottish voice and

protect our interests. We are also acknowledging and respecting the

vote in other parts of the UK and the position the UK Government now

finds itself in as a result. Now let's speak to some

MSPs at Holyrood. I'm joined by Joan McAlpine for the

SNP, the Conservatives Adam Tomkins, Jackie Baillie from Labour,

The Greens Ross Greer and Alex I am curious as to where we are now.

Ross, you in the Green party would presumably agree with every word of

the Scottish Government 's paper on Brexit, would you? Is not quite. It

is a pretty significant compromise the Scottish Government are going

for. We welcome the work they have put an end these are credible

proposals but as far as we're concerned is converted to stay the

European Union that is an option we are trying to pursue. What the

Scottish Government has proposed is option short of that that would

still be damaging. There is an Institute party -- my paper that we

have all been stating that shows a Norway style membership would result

in about 40,000 lost jobs and a drop in the average way. This is damage

limitation. It is understandable but not enough. How do you propose to

stay in the EU while staying in the United Kingdom? Scottish Greens

don't want to stay in the United Kingdom, we want an independent

scholar with its own seat at the European table. We had a referendum

two years ago and is that now mean absolutely nothing? What we were

campaigning on two years ago, everything has changed entirely

since then. Two years ago the Conservatives and Ruth Davidson were

saying in particular to vote no to stay in the European Union. So you

want to ignore the results of the independence referendum in Scotland

and ignore the results of the Brexit referendum? The results of the

Brexit referendum Scotland were two in three people wanted to stay in

the European Union. We have two referendum result that contradict

each other and the right thing to do would be to give the people of

Scotland a choice because it will probably come down to a choice

between Europe or the UK and I think people deserve that choice. Alex

Cole-Hamilton, is there any difference between what the Liberal

Democrats and the Scottish Government say? All the things that

are being demanded sound like a federal Britain? Not quite. This has

always been a Trojan horse for the SNP 's overarching aim which is

another crack at the independence referendum. We joined those

discussions in the summer, on a cross-party basis, wherein Nicola

Sturgeon... I hear what you are saying about the Nationalists was

arguing for nationalism, I get that, but what I am asking you is the

terms of what Nicola Sturgeon is proposing, that Scotland being in

the European economic area and a whole shed load of powers being

repatriated from Brussels straight to Edinburgh, is there anything in

that that you would disagree with? This is a highly complex at the

proposals which is automatically rubbished by not only her own

advisers but diplomats in Brussels on the UK Government. What we have

said from the start is that we need to revisit the Brexit question.

People in the UK voted for a departure but not a destination and

now we have buyers' regret across many voting factions who recognise

they have been sold a pup. Buyers' regret means you want another

referendum? Absolutely. So on the Democratic scorecard the greens want

to ignore two referendums but you only want to ignore one. You have a

metaphysically precise argument that says you should ignore the Brexit

referendum but play accident attention to the independence

referendum. The Tories made it very clear what an independent Scotland

would look like and people went into the ballot box to vote with their

eyes open on those two propositions but in this we had no idea that are

hard Brexit would follow and that we would be leaving the EU and leaving

the single market. Let me finish with this. If the result to be the

other way round, if the remain camp had now been pushing for a hard

remain, which was adoption of the euro, joining a European super Army,

would we be having the same kind of reaction? Jackie Baillie, how many

referendum results do you want to ignore? I don't want to ignore any

of them. The Scottish people have handed us a complex set of results

they have made clear they wanted to stay in the United Kingdom and they

have also said they want to remain in Europe so we are trying to square

and impossible circle here but let me save this... Does Labour disagree

with Nicola Sturgeon 's demand that Scotland should one way or the other

be able to stay in the European economic area? What we have said

quite clearly as we want access to the single market because we want to

protect the economy and protect jobs but it is the practicality of Nicola

Sturgeon 's proposals that have not yet been tested. I am concerned that

one of her advisers says quite clearly that he doesn't think it

would be possible. I am told it is three. We also have Iceland saying

that they didn't think membership of the European economic area is

possible. I would like us to remain the single market. Would you like

Nicola Sturgeon to revert to the practical and well worked out

proposals from the Labour Party that had to stay in the single market, if

only she can find them? I think we have said quite a bit of what we

would do and we would be willing to sit down and have discussions on how

to retain access to the single market. Nicola Sturgeon starting

point was that we had to remain as members of the EU and as we are not

able to do so I think she has now moved on to territory where she is

seeking to compromise but if she wanted to deliver unity in this

country she would absolutely take off the table the second

independence referendum because that is what the majority of the

population have rejected time and again. What they want is practical

action. Alan Tomkins, given Ruth Davidson is profound than deep love

of everything to do the single market, presumably you would like to

examine closely the proposals from Nicola Sturgeon and ask David

Mundell to argue for them in Cabinet?

yes, I said yesterday in the chamber that there is a lot in the Scottish

Government's proposals that we can work with. What we want is for the

whole of the United Kingdom... What we absolutely do not want to see, is

the single market of the United Kingdom being jeopardised by

Scotland being in the customs union and the rest of the United Kingdom

not being in the customs union. So you against a separate deal for

Scotland? I think proposals about different deals are very difficult.

You seem to say you are against it. What we need to be thinking about is

ways in which we can sensibly differentiate the deal that the

United Kingdom will seek to negotiate sector by sector. Why

higher education institutions in Scotland need to have a different

deal with regard to the European Union then they south of the border,

why are farmers in Perthshire so different from farmers in Yorkshire

or call more? Why financial institutions in Edinburgh different

than those in London? -- or Cornwall. The

idea that there was something Scotland specific is one of the big

holes in yesterday's paper. One of the big areas of disagreement

between us and the Scottish Government. We have to understand

that Scotland trade four times as much with the UK as it does with the

whole of the European Union. We don't want to jeopardise the UK

market in order to keep the Scotland in the single market. Joe McAlpine,

everyone beside you apart and Ross Greer, thinks, has said, that this

is just a blue, the latest news in the SNP's attempt at the

independence referendum. I'm not sure that is what they say but can I

just said Adam Tomkins is just revealed what a really thinks of

this place, this Scottish parliament, because the logical

conclusion of his comments about our education, for example, is that you

wouldn't have a Scottish parliament absolute non-chintz, and you could

do better than that -- nonsense. This payback is a compromise, a big

compromise because the SNP is about delivering what is best but the

people of Scotland. What I asked you is what you were applied to the

people beside you who said they don't like the way you are using

this as an excuse to bang on about independence. As far as I'm

concerned they are all over the place. Laughter macro will stop the

Scottish Government are the only government, party who have put

forward a very clearly worked out plan and it is up for others to

bring forward their appraisals. Brexit is conjugated and difficult,

that is why the UK Government still haven't told us exactly why they're

going to do. -- complicated. Excuse me, you have had your say! UC

differentiation all over Europe, the European committee has taken a lot

of evidence, you see the regions in Belgian, how much they have had

intensive negotiating treaties. Europe is a political institution

that can compromise and there is a lot of goodwill to Scotland out

there. All right, at least for a couple argued there is a challenge

that. Jackie Baillie, as Joe MacAlpine says, you might not agree

with every dot and, in the document, but at least it is a serious bit of

work. Labour hasn't done anything? It's not true but we will consider

the Scottish Government's document. Where is Jeremy Corbyn or Dugdale in

all this? The point I was making is that if you want to build a

consensus to build the very best in Scotland it is not the example but

Joe MacAlpine has given. We all share in care for Scotland and its

people's interest. To suggest that we don't is very remit of her. In

why doesn't labour it in Scotland or the UK come up with decent proposals

of its own? We have explain how we would like to keep access to the

single market which is very important for whole host of reasons

we have set out clearly in the table and elsewhere. -- in the chamber. I

want us to work together on a practical solution, not on something

that we wish to happen if we keep our fingers crossed but someone that

is deliverable potentially. Rob Greer, I am furious as what you

want. -- Ross Greer I am furious. Do you think Nicola Sturgeon should

walk out on proposed another referendum instead of these silly

papers... These are not silly papers, these are credible papers

we're looking at, but it is no secret that our desire is for an

independent scholar with in the European Union. Everything remains

to be seen at the moment. -- an independent Scotland. We don't know

what the Brexit deal will shape up as. Our reaction to this was quite

clear... When do think there should be another referendum? I think if

the UK's government dismisses the Scottish ideas at hand we will need

to have I referendum quite soon in the Article 50 process. Alex Cole

Hamilton you have ten seconds to say pah. Pah indeed. We are standing

where the country are. We had two referendums, Scotland wants to stay

in the UK and -- stay in the UK and the European Union. Ten seconds that

Adam Tomkins. What is the question, God. This idea we should move to

having another referendum. We shouldn't we had a referendum, it

was once a generation if not once-in-a-lifetime it was clear,

fair and decisive, we asked a question -- we answered a question

and said no thanks. There is no appetite in Scotland for a second

referendum. Now we have a lovely Christmas shot at you all standing

now we have to leave it. Now, a new Conservative MSP has been

sworn in at Holyrood this afternoon. Bill Bowman will replace

the late Alex Johnstone Will you please raise your right

hand repeat after me? I William Archibald Bowman. I William

Archibald Bowman. Do swear that I will be faithful and bear true

allegiance do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has successors according to law. So help

me God. So help me God. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you very much

indeed. APPLAUSE

The Scottish Parliament has been remembering the late conservative,

Alex Johnson he died two weeks ago at the short battle with cancer.

He was one of the original class of 99. The meet, and a suspect the many

he knew him, it is not his political legacy, nor his public service which

will be at the front of our man's today so much as his warmth, his

humanity and his tenderness. Alex is one of the most big hearted and

engaging colleagues I had the pleasure of working with. And even

when fellow MSPs disagreed with him no one could dislike him. He was a

big man, bighearted he had a big personality and a big set of lungs

on him when he wanted to be had on him. He was the last of our class of

1999, and that ever presents and his heft made him seem

impregnable, solid, vital, which is why his short illness and death at

the age of just 55 is so shocking. We have been robbed of a good man

far, far too early. Alex lent his public speaking long before he came

to Parliament and he would walk in here with two or three lines written

on a scrap of paper and stand up and deliver a whole speech without

pause. Nothing blew him off course, no blows lounges, he will go into

battle is on any subject, stand his ground speak with humour clash at

anyone but buy him a drink after. He was robust in arguing his own

viewpoint Annie always did so from a deep well of knowledge and learning

and he brought passion to every subject that he addressed in this

chamber, but he also always brought good grace, good humour, and, very

often, a very welcome sense of perspective. I, myself, was on the

receiving end of his quick wit in this chamber on more occasions than

I care to remember. Indeed, in the last session of parliament in the

days when the Conservatives sat on the other side of the chamber,

during First Minister's Questions I would be googly out of the corner of

my I just catch Alex Johnstone own jest be relating wildly at me as I

made some very, very important point. I always assumed it was a

deliberate, and I have to say usually highly successful attempt at

throwing me completely off of my stride. When he made his maiden

speech in June 1999 he began by saying I come from the farming

community, not these flowers borne away lived to this day, for the next

17 years that every day of the 17 years it is fair to say that none of

those were ever in any doubt about his passion for his home area. He

was a proud champion of the north-east, he shared his local area

passion of the blade and represented all of his constituencies with

diligent and conscientiousness. Move we had our own Coalition agreement

for five years, and he told me that no matter what I said, and how much

he disagreed with what I was saying, he would dump the table in approval.

He did that for five years no matter how offensive I was about the

Conservatives he would still buying the table, true to his word. He did

not expect any thing in the ten, but he did get an awful lot more than

that and that was respect from everyone in this chamber. It's very

sad Alex Johnstone, a very decent man, you are a North East man

yourself an new? I am I met him a few times and it is very rarely you

get some and he was good at their job and liked across the political

spectrum and he was certainly that. He had that authority. He would say

he knew about agriculture. He knew exactly what he was talking about.

I'll is bound him so gracious. He actually gave me some good words of

advice in my younger years and I will always remember that and I

think Parliament will miss him sorely. If you are doing nationalism

101 with Ross clear from the Greens, how would you explain to him that

going for an independence referendum right now is not a great idea? I

understand his position, one thing I was say very quickly, I'm struck by

the contributions from the politicians, the one party that

struck me for a narrative if the Labour Party. Labour sorely needs a

narrative. The Greens are pitching their tent on independence, fell

enough. They can grow support from that. They stunned the liberal end

Democrats. Labour have something to lose any to get a coherent

narrative. That should take the Lib Dems, even if half the people in

Britain who voted the Tadhg Beirne think there should be a second

referendum, that still gives them a quarter of the operation. -- voted

Remain. Labour needs to appeal to those who voted Leave. Labour have

got to get right across the barrier. Nicola Sturgeon is making the point

that she turned to compromise and bring a case for independence in the

long time but the Labour Party need to reach across both sides of

the fence. That's all from us for this

week and this year. Politics Scotland

will be back in 2017. Until then, Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year! It's Christmas mayhem

across the country. The city centre,

just Sodom and Gomorrah. Which, you know,

is not so exciting for us, really. The mistletoe and crime

festive special. Are you asking people to believe

that that horse is a reindeer? Whole planet's got it wrong for

years! The right answer is... I'm relying on Josh to get this one

right. Watch and learn. Is it ah-ba-ah-ah? The Bee Gees.

Sherlock Holmes. Anyone have a clue? A funny dance?

No, no dancing... Swan.