New Year message from Joan McAlpine MSP

“I wish you all a peaceful and happy festive season – and thank you to our emergency services, NHS staff and others, who sacrifice time with their families to look after the rest of us during Christmas and New Year.

2015 was a year of highs and lows. Dumfries and Galloway showed its true colours in response to the Syrian refugee crisis, when local volunteers set up the group ‘Massive Outpouring of Love’ – even in the hardest times, the human spirit triumphs.

In the Scottish Parliament this year we will pass historic land-reform legislation, giving more security to tenant farmers and rights to communities suffering as a result of bad landlords. I will continue to work in the welfare committee, highlighting the consequences of UK government cuts, particularly to the vulnerable and disabled.

Next year will see the Holyrood election – I have been chosen as the SNP candidate to fight the Dumfriesshire constituency.  I hope to provide the constituency with its strongest ever voice in Edinburgh. 

The Westminster Election saw Scotland place its trust in 56 SNP MPs who have raised the country’s profile as never before. We are that strong voice at Holyrood too. The SNP record speaks for itself – universal benefits that make Scotland a fairer society; free tuition, prescriptions, travel and care for older people and a record £12 billion in the NHS which outperforms the rest of the UK. I will be proud to campaign on that record.

May the coming year bring more happiness to you than the last.  I look forward to working hard for you, and for Scotland, in 2016.”