Politics Matters: People should still use petitions as a way of expressing their views as 'they are a vital and a long-standing campaign tool' and even the Scottish Parliament that stopped work in 1707 'had a well-oiled petitions system for disgruntled citizens'
There was a lovely story in the Inverness Courier this week about a community launching an online petition calling on Highland Council to stop the transfer of school janitor David Aitchison from Smithton Primary.
My children both attended the school many moons ago and I have happy memories of school plays and sports days. The staff were top-notch. The school janitor, the nurse and the secretary were all part of the team.
Of course, petitions are a vital and a long-standing campaign tool. In the early part of my career as an MSP I convened the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee with the first online parliamentary petitions system in the world.
In fact, the first trace of petitions in public life dates to the reign of King David I of Scotland (no relation!) who used to preside over presentations at court from his subjects.
The previous Scottish Parliament, which ceased in 1707, also had a well-oiled petitions system for disgruntled citizens.
From my experience those in power are uncomfortable with well-organised and media savvy petitioners.
Best of luck to the Smithton campaigners.
I am not sure if Boris Johnson reads my column. If I was to take a guess, it is as likely as me being star striker for Caley Thistle this season!
However, a few weeks ago, I had a go at him for planning a £4 billion cut to the overseas aid budget.
The reduction would hit childhood polio vaccinations in the poorest countries. Millions would be slashed from budgets supporting girls education and clean water and dealing with the humanitarian crises in Yemen and Syria.
Over 50 Tory MPs, many of whom I know from my former Westminster days, are opposed to the severity of the cuts and the effect on the UK’s reputation abroad.
Boris has taken soundings from MPs and also church and community groups. Could a U-turn be on the agenda?
I had some good news this week. I’ve been accepted to be a student again. In my political days I always talked about life-long learning and how education is not just for the young. Now I have the chance to put my words into action. I am going to study the history of the health service in the Highlands.
My starting point will be the Highlands and Islands medical service set up in 1913, a mini NHS with a minimum wage for GPs and a comprehensive primary care service.
Support for specialist surgeons and a new laboratory in Inverness was set up. There was even the first air ambulance service to the outer isles in 1936.
Two months to go before I start.
A few weeks ago, I was asked to speak at an online conference of Scottish charities. My remit was to look ahead to the Scottish Parliament of the future. What would it look like? How should it change?
I came up with an eight-point agenda for change.
I strongly agreed with Donald Dewar when he said: “Devolution was a process not an event”.
Devolution has to change and mature and needs to be relevant to the Highlands and Islands today.
Professor Jim Hunter, formerly of UHI, told me the story of the west coast crofter who said: “hate us in London but ignore us in Edinburgh.”
David Stewart is a former Labour politician who has served as a councillor, MP and MSP.