Latest News – Martin Whitfield MSP
Meeting Youth Parliament reps
Martin Whitfield MSP has met with representatives of the Scottish Youth Parliament at Holyrood to discuss its latest campaigns. The new national campaigns that Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament have voted to select as their priorities for the next two years are: Increase mental health training and education. Invest in and protect youth work services. End gender-based violence. Martin Whitfield MSP said: "It was great to catch up with some MSYPs at Holyrood this week, and hear about their recent and future campaigns. They do amazing work representing the voice of young people and ensuring their priorities are on [...]
Search for Local Hero for 25th anniversary
Martin Whitfield MSP is seeking suggestions for a Local Hero who has made a positive difference to the lives of others to attend a special event on Saturday 29th June to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament. The event will mark almost 25 years to the day since the Scottish Parliament was officially opened on 1st July 1999. It will also celebrate the achievements of the Parliament over the last 25 years as well as Scottish culture. Launching his search, Martin Whitfield MSP said: “I know many people in East Lothian are committed to giving their time and energy [...]
Bark For Our Parks campaign
This May, Fields in Trust, the only UK charity fighting to make sure local parks and green spaces are legally protected, is running its Bark For Our Parks fundraising campaign to support its important work. The charity says our local parks are at risk of being built on and lost forever. So, it is encouraging anyone who cares about their local parks and greens spaces to join them and take a four-legged stand to help protect our parks by taking part in Bark For Our Parks. It is calling all dogs (and their human owners) to take on the challenge [...]
MS Awareness Week
22 to 28 April is MS Awareness and this year the MS Society Scotland's campaign theme is MS Unfiltered. The charity is running a sensitive and intimate campaign which will shine a light on the MS topics that can feel taboo or difficult to talk about. It will be creating a safe space for people to talk honestly and openly about everything from bladder control and sexual dysfunction, to navigating menopause and cultural stigma. MS Awareness Week is also the perfect time for people affected by MS to find out more about the help and support available to those living [...]
Distillery’s contribution highlighted
Glenkinchie Distillery’s important contribution to the Scotch whisky industry and East Lothian’s economy has been highlighted by Martin Whitfield MSP during a debate in the Scottish Parliament. The South Scotland MSP spoke about the distillery’s history, its historical and contemporary role in Scotch whisky production and the 37,000 visitors it welcomed during 2023. Mr Whitfield also recognised Glenkinchie’s efforts to have a positive impact on nature and improve the sustainability of the distillation process, including operating a zero waste to landfill policy, for which it has received the gold award for green tourism. He also talked about some of his [...]
Revised boundary proposals published
Revised proposals for amending the Scottish Parliamentary constituency boundaries were published yesterday, including for constituencies covering East Lothian. Local changes in the proposals see Prestonpans restored to the East Lothian (or Lothian Eastern as they are suggesting it be renamed) constituency, with Tranent set be moved into a new constituency with Portobello/Craigmillar and Musselburgh. The revised proposals are now open for public consultation until 15th May. Commenting on the revised proposals, Martin Whitfield MSP said: “I’m very disappointed by these revised proposals which simply swap one unwelcome boundary change with another. "While recognising the impact of our growing population, I [...]