Welcome

After decision time in the Parliament I went down to Drummond Community High School to speak and meet people at an event organised by the Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equalities Council to welcome refugees to Edinburgh and to provide them with access to a range of organisations which can help them.

In the late 1970s I was an active supporter of the old Edinburgh Community Relations Council which was the predecessor of the Equalities Council and I have remained very interested in what they do.

This was a really lively, positive meeting and full of a determination to celebrate diversity, welcome difference and affirm our common humanity.

The exact same spirit is in evidence in Rothesay in my constituency which is now home to over 60 Syrian refugees.

Good news in what can sometimes seem to be dark times.