I was saddened to hear of the sudden death of John Gilardi, who many will know as a well-respected local accountant.

John was instrumental in the set-up of local charity Harbour Ayrshire, and he took on an active role within the organisation. I met John several years ago when I arranged a meeting for his team with the then minister for drugs and alcohol policy. 

Harbour Ayrshire works locally to help individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. The charity supports them so they can overcome their addiction and live normal, happy lives.

John’s drive to help people was evident from the moment I met him and the charity has done some fantastic work across the community.

My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. I hope Arlene, Jacob and Beau can take comfort in John’s legacy with Harbour Ayrshire.

It was an honour to attend the annual Armed Forces Day at the Low Green to give my thanks and show support to all the men and women in our Armed Forces. The day is a great display of appreciation to all our serving troops, reserves, service families, veterans and cadets.

I had the pleasure to attending the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra’s summer concert at Ayr Town Hall. The group was founded in 1982 and develops the talent of our local young musicians. The orchestra has gone from strength to strength. I would highly recommend attending one of their concerts.

On July 4, you can decide who will be in government at Westminster. At the time of writing this, it appears voters down south have decided after five years of incompetence, continuing austerity, unforgivable Covid rule breaches and the economy crash, that voters want a change. Under a UK Labour Government, the 14 years of austerity will continue. Labour will be more of the same.

The fact that Sir Keir Starmer has point blank refused to allow Scotland to have an independence referendum shows his attitude to the people of Scotland. Fifty per cent of the Scottish electorate want independence, yet Labour chooses to ignore this.

The SNP will always be the voice for Scotland putting the people here first and foremost. Voters therefore have a clear choice, which MPs do you want representing the people of Scotland and hold an incoming UK Labour government to account?

And please remember: to vote in the General Election, you need to have voter ID.

Although a General Election is looming, the work at the Scottish Parliament continues.

The Scottish Government Home Ownership Scheme has re-opened to help people on a low to middle income get on the property ladder.

Successful applicants will be able to buy a home without having to purchase it in full, usually between 60-90 per cent of the property’s value, with the Scottish Government owning the remaining share.