FERGUS EWING: Gaelic language is a talking point for MSPs

Last week in Holyrood we debated the achievements and challenges facing the Gaelic language and the Scots tongue.

In what was a good-tempered debate many from all parties made thoughtful and interesting contributions. Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for the Western Isles delivered his speech in turn in Gaelic, Scots and English!

Gaelic medium education was seen as a success, but the main challenge is in recruitment of sufficient teachers. BBC Alba was also seen as a major achievement with the wide range of programmes it offers now attracting an audience well beyond the Gaelic heartlands. Its emphasis on telling the story of the people, their lives and the land is very attractive and, to me, fascinating and explains its popularity.

Towards the end, I did intervene on Conservative Stephen Kerr who was closing for the Tories. Stephen is a combative character who routinely castigates my party and the Scottish Government for many alleged shortcomings. I think he can also take a joke though!

I asked if he was aware of the old Scots word “Bluffleheid” which means a person, usually male, with a large head but low intellect! I sought to add that I was not using that word about him, but the Presiding Officer just about beat me to it to rule “Bluffleheid” unparliamentary language!

Murdo Fraser MSP, from Inverness, hailed the Invernessians as articulate and well-spoken perhaps because of the Gaelic roots of many. I forbore to mention they also form a very discerning electorate.

n The extension of the Scottish Child Payment could be a turning point for families in Highland as the support is extending from £20 to £25.

We have already heard from anti-poverty charities how the payment has been “game-changing” for families with children under six and now, as the support is extended, families with children under 16 more will have extra cash in their pockets to get through this Tory-made cost of living crisis.

The Scottish Child Payment demonstrates how the SNP Scottish Government is building a social security system based on fairness, dignity and respect.

However, it continues to work with one hand tied behind its back by a UK government preparing to inflict austerity 2.0 on families across Scotland.

There is only one way we can escape the chaos of Westminster and build a fairer, more equal Scotland and that is by becoming an independent country.

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