Our columnist also relives some insurance company woes.
Improving rights for workers has always been an important part of my political DNA, from the early years as an MP until my retirement as an MSP.
George Bernard Shaw once famously said that 'Britain and America are two countries divided by a common language'.
A rise in the culture of threats and intimidation could deter many excellent potential candidates from standing for public office, says our columnist.
All political parties will want to see a major improvement in the process when its Scottish Parliament elections, says our columnist.
Winning a seat, particularly if it was unexpected, gives a political high that goes off the Richter scale, says our columnist.
One reason I was so motivated to provide a better deal for victims was from hearing about harrowing experiences, says our columnist.
The last few years in Holyrood has seen a fixation on the peripheral at the cost of the substantial, says our columnist.
Limiting post-test driving freedom is worth it to save just one young life, says our columnist.
Reforming the House of Lords might not seem the obvious and most pressing item on the possible new Prime Minister’s to-do list, says our columnist.
Columnist David Stewart explores the importance of defence spending in an increasingly unstable world.
Higher cost of fuel in our area and the substantial mileages racked up for business or pleasure means car ownership is an expensive outlay for many.
People will face the impossible dilemma of being too old to work and too young to retire, says our columnist.
The national elections in the UK and US this year will still provide shocks. They also mean so much more, says our columnist.
As this is my last column of the year it is time for my political predictions for 2024, some more serious than others!
Christmas shopping is the top of the agenda for many readers at this time of the year.
Green Freeport must address the looming crisis of climate change, transform our local use of energy and develop a hydrogen network, says columnist.
All party leaders, irrespective of the colour of their rosettes, love flashy, new announcements at annual conference before the party faithful.
Most Highland schools were shut on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday due to some non-teaching staff being on strike.
Our columnist also highlights Fergus Ewing as "running his own one-man-band guerrilla warfare against the SNP hierarchy".