I WRITE at the start of a dramatic last week of this Parliament, with scandal, speculation about the First Minister’s future, a no confidence motion, and the Government publishing an independence referendum bill. Who knows where we will be when you read this?

You can be sure, though, it is my last column. After 22 years in politics, the last 14 of them representing East Lothian in Holyrood, I am retiring – officially on May 5, the day before the election, but from today we are in election ‘recess’, so no more columns.

It has been the privilege of my life to represent East Lothian – the best place to live, work or even just visit in the whole of Scotland – at Holyrood. I have tried hard every day of those 14 years to put East Lothian first, to be the strongest voice I can for this constituency.

I have been helped by so many people who make this county great – local businesses, churches, schools, sports clubs, charities and countless community groups; so many people looking out for family, friends and neighbours, keeping our communities strong and supportive, for the most part with little thanks or recognition.

Thank you to you, the voters of East Lothian, for allowing me this honour.

Of course, I hope to pass the baton on to Martin Whitfield, the Labour candidate in the election, but whoever you choose, their priority should be ensuring these local heroes and heroines in every one of our towns and villages get the support they need.

Nationally, the new parliament’s focus must be rebuilding after the pandemic, not another referendum.

I want to thank my constituency office staff, who have done the real work for the past 14 years. If we managed to help you, the credit is theirs. If we could not, the fault was mine!

Finally, a mention for the newspaper you are reading. The Courier is one of the things which keeps our communities strong, a vital local channel of information. So, please keep buying the paper and reading this column, whoever is writing it.