We did wonder if Hero of the Week, in a kind of perverse way, ought to be Helen Eadie MSP for her bizarre outburst in the Chamber on Thursday and persistence in the strategy of using Opposition to remind everyone why they voted SNP in the election in May.

Or if it should be Ken Macintosh MSP, for launching his leadership campaign, travelling hopefully and nicely, as befitting one of the nicest MSPs around, which is why he should not and probably will not be the next (first?) leader of Scottish Labour.

But actually one hero did emerge from the flotsam and jetsam of mealy-moothed motions. Step forward one Richard Simpson, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife. Fetch a cup of coffee: it’s a long ‘un but well worth the concentration and perseverance:

S4M-00859 Richard Simpson: Older Carers’Health-That the Parliament welcomes the report, Always on Call, Always Concerned, by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, which surveyed 639 older carers aged between 60 and 94 (80 in Scotland) who look after a sick or disabled family member; notes that the report found that 67.5% of older carers have long-term health problems or are disabled themselves and that only half feel safe or confident in lifting the person that they care for, with many worrying about what will happen to their loved one should they become ill themselves or when they have gone; agrees with the report’s recommendations that GPs should offer both a physical health check and screening for depression to older carers once a year; also agrees that GPs should offer home visits to carers, if necessary, to fit around their caring role and that hospital appointments should be flexible to meet the needs of carers; believes that carers who need to carry out lifting as part of their caring role should receive the training and equipment to allow them to do so safely, and that this should be funded by their local health service or local authority; considers that local health services should work with local authorities to help fund breaks for carers, since it believes that having a break helps to maintain physical and mental health; further considers that effective methods of promoting mental wellbeing in older carers should be developed by health and social care agencies to reduce the risk of stress and depression, and further believes that all carers should be offered the opportunity to agree an emergency plan that covers the possibility of them being unable to care.

At last, someone using motions for what they should be used. To highlight an issue of national concern, that affects one of the most marginalised groups in society who do not always get their voice heard. And best of all, it suggests solutions to a problem. All of which are eminently achievable with a tweak here and there to established practice which would make a huge difference to people’s lives. None of it difficult either or would cost anything. Politics at its best.

Sadly, however, it seems there’s a competition amongst MSPs for the apparently highly coveted Worst Motion Of The Week, at least that’s the speculation here at Better Nation Towers (might just be our newly inflated egos) as we can’t otherwise explain the embarrassment of options this week. Colin Beattie (S4M-00864 and S4M-00865) has been reading National Lottery Grant notices, Mary Scanlon’s (S4M-00849) presumably on the look out for a shrubbery.

 

But then there’s Irn Bru, which was the subject of not one but two near identical motions this week, bitterly dividing the judges. Marco Biagi’s (S4M-00830) clearly living up to his “one to watch” billing with the chemistry pun in the title, urging that we “Don’t Let the Sun Set on Irn Bru”. However, he moved to quickly and 3 motions later…

S4M-00833 – Jamie Hepburn: It’s Still fizzy, It’s Still Ginger, It’s Still Phenomenal
That the Parliament welcomes that the secret recipe and iconic colour of Irn Bru, Scotland’s other national drink, is to be retained; notes that the European Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health had considered reducing the maximum Sunset Yellow artificial colouring to as little as 10 mg per litre for flavoured drinks but opted to reduce the level to 20 mg, the amount used by AG Barr in Irn Bru; considers that both the European Food Safety Authority and the Food Standards Agency have deemed that the 20 mg per litre limit poses no risk to consumer health; considers that common sense has prevailed in this ruling, and commends all those involved in delivering this positive outcome.

Supported by: Christina McKelvie, Bill Kidd, James Dornan, Marco Biagi, Colin Beattie, Roderick Campbell, Kevin Stewart, Adam Ingram, Gil Paterson, Kenneth Gibson, George Adam, Fiona McLeod, Paul Wheelhouse, Jean Urquhart, Mike MacKenzie, Neil Bibby, Bob Doris

Squeezing in the advertising slogan on top of what was really a non-issue (reducing the amount to 10mg was one option, but it had never been the likely outcome) is a stroke of genius, making it our Worst Motion of the Week

Jeff is away