Easter recess offered a chance to spend time at home interspersed with some customary island hopping. First up, a busy day in Sanday, including a surgery and meetings with the local business forum and Development Trust.
Some may recall Boris Johnston’s hopelessly optimistic plans for street parties to celebrate Brexit Day. One wonders if Donald Trump harbours similar ambitions for a Liberation Day public holiday in future.
Another week, another slew of MSPs announcing their intention to stand down at the next election. Of most note, if no great surprise, was confirmation that Nicola Sturgeon plans to head for the Holyrood exit next May.
Orkney has established itself as a “must visit” destination for government ministers, parliamentary committees and politicians of every political stripe.
This week marks the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The quick victory expected by Putin was denied by stoic Ukrainian resistance, but the subsequent three years have seen casualties on both sides climb.
I’m delighted to confirm that 18 years after first being elected as Orkney’s MSP, I’ve finally delivered my ‘maiden’ speech in the cattle ring at The Mart. There are many more iconic debating chambers, but few as intimidating.
