Last week I was at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth amid all the speculation about a possible autumn General Election. After the tremendous start that Gordon Brown has made as Prime Minister I am comfortable with an election whenever it is called. At Conference we had the opportunity to hear from Gordon Brown about his convictions and the kind of Britain he wants to see; one that recognises the potential of all, and makes good use of the talents of all our people. Most of all he came across as a man who gets on with the job and can offer strong leadership in a crisis. He has already proved this with the challenges he has met head on within his first three months in office - attempted terrorist attacks, flooding in England, new cases of Foot and Mouth disease and the financial crisis at Northern Rock.

And it was good to hear Gordon talk of the principles which he believes can guide not only the Prime Minister but the British people in meeting the challenges ahead and which affect us all. These challenges include global economic competition, the terrorist and security threat, climate change, the yearning for stronger communities, the pressures to balance work and family life and the rising aspirations of the British people. He also quoted his father who told him as a child ‘ We must be givers as well as getters’. Everyone should have the chance to put something back. Faced with humanitarian crises in Zimbabwe, Burma and Darfur, his words were particularly apt when he said, “Human rights are universal” and “No injustice can last forever”

Veterans honoured
On my return from conference, I held another very successful local presentation of Veterans’ Lapel Badges. The badges were presented  by the Lord Lieutenant, Mr John Duncan, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and Mr Alastair Kennedy, Area Vice Chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland. I am grateful once again for the support of Captain Steve Macauley and his team from the Territorial Army. It is very important for me as the local MP to have the opportunity to hear at first hand from those who have served in our armed forces both in the past and in the present day. It was good to have the time to do that after the ceremony which was enjoyed by all.

When we talk about giving something back to our country there can be no greater cause than Combat Stress, Hollybush House, which, thanks in no small part to local fundraising efforts, will shortly open a new wing to its residential  accommodation which provides therapy and support to those who have seen active service and have suffered mental health problems as a result.

Meeting with the NFU
Earlier in the month I met with the National Farmers Union Scotland to discuss the implications of the Foot and Mouth outbreak in England. There is a crisis in the Scottish sheep industry with around a million lambs currently stranded on farms as the cold weather closes in. Losses in Scotland’s breeding flocks would threaten the future of the Scottish sheep industry. Unless livestock sales and Europe exports are able to restart soon the NFU will need emergency action and support. They are in discussion with the Scottish Executive over a disposal scheme to head off the crisis and I gave a commitment to raise the matter with the Secretary of State, Hillary Benn.

Tackling Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the leading charity tackling breast cancer in women. A year ago its Screening Saves Lives campaign called for a review of how breast screening is carried out for women over 70 as well as measures to ensure that NHS breast screening programme provides the best possible service. Last week this leading charity welcomed Gordon Brown’s personal commitment at the Labour Party Conference to reduce waiting times for breast referrals and improve access to NHS screening. He announced an extension to both the upper and lower age range for screening. This should lead to all women having their first screening by 50 and an additional screening at 70