# westminster (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 5 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover westminster. Page: Feed: --- ## [BP Exits the North Sea as Ardersier Sits Empty: Where has London Rule left Scotland’s Just Transition?](http://www.businessforscotland.com/bp_exits_the_north_sea_as_ardersier_sits_empty_where_has_london_rule_left_scotland_s_just_transition) _2026-08-13 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ Scotland is facing a double blow to its energy sector. BP has announced a formal process to market its entire Aberdeen-based North Sea business - ending six decades of pioneering oil and gas production in the basin as part of a global portfolio strategy. Where is the transition? Where are the replacement jobs for North East workers? ## [Caerphilly Interchange…](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/08/13/caerphilly-interchange/) _2026-08-13 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Some reflections from me after my comments re the proposed new Caerphilly station last week. I got some things wrong...so hands up! ## [Caerphilly Station, Tenby & Abertillery extension…. are these the best VfM schemes?](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/08/09/caerphilly-station-tenby-abertillery-extension-are-these-the-best-vfm-schemes/) _2026-08-09 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Do some of the committed PT schemes in Wales lack a robust VfM case (eg Caerphilly Station, Tenby Station, Abertillery Extension, etc) preventing some other better VfM schemes from progressing? ## [Its rubbish…and so are some people!](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/07/13/its-rubbish-and-so-are-some-people/) _2026-07-13 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Can we do away with door-to-door rubbish collections (and occasional rubbish strewn streets) and adopt a more European and efficient neighbourhood rubbish collection ecosystem?? ## [Qatar and UK Explore New Opportunities to Deepen Economic Partnership](https://www.newsleaf.com/qatar-and-uk-explore-new-opportunities-to-deepen-economic-partnership/) _2026-07-04 · admin · NewsLeaf_ LONDON – Qatar and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their longstanding economic relationship following a high-level meeting between Qatar’s Ambassador to the UK and the Lady Mayor of the City of London. His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United \[…\] The post Qatar and UK Explore New Opportunities… ## [Pakistan Marked Women in Diplomacy Day as Ambassador Aisha Farooqui Honours Female Diplomatic Trailblazers](https://www.newsleaf.com/pakistan-marked-women-in-diplomacy-day-as-ambassador-aisha-farooqui-honours-female-diplomatic-trailblazers/) _2026-07-03 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Pakistan’s Ambassador to Portugal, Aisha Farooqui, has marked Women in Diplomacy Day by paying tribute to the women who paved the way before her, highlighting their role in strengthening relations between Pakistan and Portugal. In a message shared on social media, Ambassador Farooqui reflected on the significance of serving as Pakistan’s seventh female ambassador to \[…\] The post Pakistan Marked… ## [Oliver Dowden MP unveils the plaque for New Complex Dementia Hub at Radley Care Home](https://www.newsleaf.com/oliver-dowden-mp-unveils-the-plaque-for-new-complex-dementia-hub-at-radley-care-home/) _2026-07-03 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Former Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has officially unveiled a new Complex Dementia Hub at Radley Care Home, praising staff for their dedication to delivering specialist care and supporting residents within the local community. Sharing the news following his visit, Dowden described it as “wonderful” to return to the care home and take part in \[…\] The post Oliver Dowden MP unveils the plaque… ## [Pakistan Ambassador Meets Belgian MP Franky Demon to Strengthen Pakistan-Belgium Relations](https://www.newsleaf.com/pakistan-ambassador-meets-belgian-mp-franky-demon-to-strengthen-pakistan-belgium-relations/) _2026-07-03 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, met Belgian federal parliamentarian Franky Demon to discuss ways to strengthen Pakistan-Belgium relations, with talks focusing on parliamentary cooperation, trade, education and cultural exchanges. According to the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels, Ambassador Rahim Hayat held talks with Franky Demon, a Member of the Federal Parliament of… ## [Hey, Andy, time to devolve rail to Wales!](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/07/03/hey-andy-time-to-devolve-rail-to-wales/) _2026-07-03 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Time for UK Government and PM elect, Andy Burnham, to devolve rail powers and funding to Welsh Government. With reference to the latest Senedd commissioned research on rail enhancement funding in Wales which exposes the systemic underfunding by UK Gov that can be counted in £Bns! ## [NEWS: Margaret Mullane MP Praises Community Spirit at Food Bank Launch](https://www.newsleaf.com/news-margaret-mullane-mp-praises-community-spirit-at-food-bank-launch/) _2026-07-03 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Margaret Mullane MP has praised the compassion and commitment of local faith groups after attending the launch of the Evangelical Missions Ministry’s new food bank initiative, Together We Share. The Dagenham and Rainham MP was invited to speak at the launch event, which brought together community leaders, volunteers and faith representatives committed to supporting local \[…\] The post NEWS:… ## [Crypto Payments, No Custody (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/QDHMtPBBV8pA) _2026-07-03 · **Sponsored**_ Send crypto to merchant wallets via API with real-time updates and automatic fees. ## [Ten years on, Brexit is another “great betrayal” of Scotland](http://www.businessforscotland.com/ten_years_on_brexit_is_another_great_betrayal_of_scotland) _2026-06-23 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ Scotland is the hardest hit of any UK nation by Brexit. A new academic study, Measuring the Regional Economic Cost of Brexit: Evidence , reports that Brexit has left Scotland almost £30 billion a year worse off. ## [Why UK Media Regulation Fails Everyone, Scotland Most of All](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/why-uk-media-regulation-fails-everyone) _2026-06-18 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ UK media regulation is a patchwork nobody designed, and Scotland has no power over any of it. ## [Labour's Social Media Ban: Politics Not Child Protection](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/labours-social-media-ban-politics) _2026-06-15 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ Banning YouTube for under-16s while ignoring the BBC isn't child safety policy. It's an admission that Ofcom has failed, and that parents' votes matter more than children's welfare. ## [Metro and Us](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/06/15/metro-and-us/) _2026-06-15 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ I added some post event thoughts re: the 4th June 2026 "Metro and Us" event in Cardiff. The key question to ask is "what else we need to do, to maximise the impact of the South Wales Metro and especially to enable wider economic development and regeneration?". Click the image for more details. [Listen](https://videos.files.wordpress.com/ivU2SOSP/metrous_-_subtitled_v5-2160p-1.mp4) ## [FOOD REVIEW: Luck Bros Kopi in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia](https://www.newsleaf.com/food-review-luck-bros-kopi-in-kuala-lumpur-malaysia/) _2026-06-07 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Ready to fill your tummy after exploring the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur? If the answer is yes, then I’ve got the perfect spot where you can grab a bite to eat and cool off with a refreshing drink before heading back out to discover more of the city. Nestled on Petaling Street, in the \[…\] The post FOOD REVIEW: Luck Bros Kopi in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on NewsLeaf . ## [Scottish in Name Only – the Truth behind London Parties](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/scottish-in-name-only-the-truth-behind) _2026-06-07 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ Some of Scotland's biggest parties aren't Scottish at all: they're London operations in disguise. Here's why every Scottish voter should care. ## [The UK is actively sabotaging Scotland’s Economy](http://www.businessforscotland.com/the_uk_is_actively_sabotaging_scotlands_economy) _2026-06-04 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ The world’s largest wind turbine plant was due to be built at Ardersier near Inverness in the Highlands. It was a huge deal that took the Scottish government years of hard work to win. It was the Highlands' biggest regeneration project. ## [The BBC: For Everyone in the UK (Except Scotland)](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/the-bbc-for-everyone-in-the-uk-except) _2026-06-03 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ The BBC's commitment to serving all of the UK looks impressive on paper. In practice, it rarely makes it past the English border. ## [Sonia Kumar MP to Hold Community “Meet Your MP” Session in Dudley](https://www.newsleaf.com/sonia-kumar-mp-to-hold-community-meet-your-mp-session-in-dudley/) _2026-05-27 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Residents in Dudley will have the opportunity to speak directly with their local MP this weekend as Sonia Kumar hosts a special “Meet Your MP” session at the Compton Care shop in the Churchill Shopping Centre. The event, taking place on Saturday 30 May from 10am until 12 noon, is designed to give local people \[…\] The post Sonia Kumar MP to Hold Community “Meet Your MP” Session in Dudley appeared… ## [Labour MP Dr Zubir Ahmed spent Bank Holiday Monday carrying out kidney transplants](https://www.newsleaf.com/labour-mp-dr-zubir-ahmed-mp-spent-bank-holiday-monday-carrying-out-kidney-transplants/) _2026-05-27 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Labour MP Dr Zubir Ahmed has been praised online after sharing a glimpse into the balancing act between public service and political life, revealing that he spent his bank holiday Monday carrying out kidney transplants before heading straight onto the campaign trail in Makerfield the following day. In a post shared on social media, Dr \[…\] The post Labour MP Dr Zubir Ahmed spent Bank Holiday Monday… ## [Stream Torrents and IPTV Instantly (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/Y5NV2aU3sC5I) _2026-05-27 · **Sponsored**_ Search, index, and play music, movies, books, and live TV in your browser. ## [Scotland just voted for Independence](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/scotland-just-voted-for-independence) _2026-05-13 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ The SNP won again, for the fifth time. The Westminster media called it a decline story. Here's what actually happened in Scotland's Parliament, and why the independence question never went away. ## [Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP Pays Tribute to NHS Nurses on International Nurses Day](https://www.newsleaf.com/health-minister-dr-zubir-ahmed-mp-pays-tribute-to-nhs-nurses-on-international-nurses-day/) _2026-05-12 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Dr Zubir Ahmed MP has paid tribute to nurses across the NHS on International Nurses Day, praising their “extraordinary” compassion, professionalism and dedication to patients and families. In a heartfelt message marking the occasion, the Glasgow South West MP reflected on his own two decades of experience working within the NHS as a surgeon, including \[…\] The post Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP… ## [The “Call Centrefication” of GPs](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/05/08/the-call-centrefication-of-gps/) _2026-05-08 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Some personal reflections/anecdotes on increasing barriers to accessing GP services in Wales, esp the "Call Centrefication" of GPs. As well as frustrations with appointment booking and NHS app functionality. We need better patient-centred services and integrated IT systems to improve healthcare access. ## [Labour hopeful Rashid Hussain vows fight for early cancer screening after mother’s death](https://www.newsleaf.com/labour-hopeful-rashi-hussain-vows-fight-for-early-cancer-screening-after-mothers-death/) _2026-05-07 · admin · NewsLeaf_ Scottish Labour hopeful Rashid Hussain has pledged to campaign for faster access to lung cancer screening in Scotland after the sudden death of his mother from lung cancer last year. Mr Hussain, who is standing to become the MSP for Glasgow Southside, said his family’s experience exposed what he described as a major gap in \[…\] The post Labour hopeful Rashid Hussain vows fight for early cancer… ## [Metro – A Catalyst for change….](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/05/03/metro-a-catalyst-for-change/) _2026-05-03 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Could Metro prove to be a catalyst for a shift towards transit-orientated development across the Cardiff Capital Region? ## [Election debates prove Westminster holds the main levers of power](http://www.businessforscotland.com/election_debates_prove_westminster_holds_the_main_levers_of_power) _2026-04-30 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ The leaders’ debates in the run-up to the Holyrood election on May 7 are spending most of the time discussing matters that the Scottish Parliament has no say over, such as the decision to block a massive Chinese investment in the Highlands, the failure to protect jobs in oil and gas or invest in a just transition, and the huge energy bills Scots face. ## [Welsh Politics, M4, Induced Demand…and AI](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/04/28/welsh-politics-m4-induced-demand-and-ai/) _2026-04-28 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ The upcoming Welsh election has reignited discussions around the M4 Relief Road. Recent international research on induced demand reveals that expanding road capacity leads to increased traffic and does not alleviate congestion. Effective congestion management requires complementary strategies, including enhanced public transport and land-use policies. ## [Malcolm Offord: The Peer Who Keeps Failing Up](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/malcolm-offord-the-peer-who-keeps) _2026-03-08 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ Malcolm Offord has failed upwards for years. Unelected, unwanted, yet always rewarded with more power. Now he’s reinvented himself again as Reform UK’s Scottish leader. ## [Today, Tomorrow, Together…](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/02/18/today-tomorrow-together/) _2026-02-18 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ Transport for Wales has launched its Rail investment prospectus, "Today, Tomorrow, Together". This complements a UK Government commitment to a long-term funding programme for Wales rail network. How much new money has actually been committed? As usual the devil is in the detail. Here are my initial thoughts...... ## [UK Government betrays Scotland with massive cuts to post-EU funding](http://www.businessforscotland.com/uk_government_betrays_scotland_with_massive_cuts_to_post_eu_funding) _2026-01-27 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ Scotland voted to remain in the EU. The UK government promised our EU funds would be matched - but they were slashed first by the Tories and now they are being slashed again by Labour. Jobs are being lost, growth is being slowed, communities are struggling - whilst England gets a better deal. It is becoming clearer and clearer that post-Brexit “replacement of EU funding” really means nothing close… ## [Snapshot Showdown on Google Play (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/zqMCWop415cm) _2026-01-27 · **Sponsored**_ Available on Google Play for Android devices. ## [Using AI to REMOVE Propaganda](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/using-ai-to-remove-propaganda) _2026-01-11 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ Grok is a great example of an AI designed to give a politically biassed result. But what if you could use AI to remove political bias? ## [Mark Barry-Predictions for 2026…](https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2026/01/01/mark-barry-predictions-for-2026/) _2026-01-01 · @swalesmetroprof · Mark Barry's blog site_ A quick brain dump of predictions for 2026...some transport, some politics, some economic... Blwyddyn Newydd Dda ## [The UK budget FAILS Scotland](http://www.businessforscotland.com/the_uk_budget_fails_scotland) _2025-11-27 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ The UK Chancellor has delivered a few crumbs for Scotland in her budget. These are making headlines in the Unionist media. Meanwhile Scottish businesses continue to get pushed to the wall by outrageous energy prices and the deepening damage of Brexit. These, combined with self-inflicted fiscal rules, have caused the budget “black hole” in the first place. ## [British pollsters – and how they get misused](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/british-pollsters-and-how-they-get) _2025-10-27 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ British pollsters present their headline polls for the whole of Great Britain. This hides the politics of all nations except England. Is this a bad thing? ## [The UK’s Fish Fund - Another Slap in the Face to Scottish Industry](http://www.businessforscotland.com/the_uks_fish_fund_another_slap_in_the_face_to_scottish_industry) _2025-10-24 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ When we were in the EU, Scotland got almost half of the UK’s fishing funding. The UK’s replacement fund is slashing that amount. Instead, it gives Scotland a population share - less than 8%. ## [Shipbuilding shows why Scotland has reached the limits of devolution](http://www.businessforscotland.com/how_westminster_stitched_up_shipbuilding_on_the_clyde) _2025-10-23 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ The skill and commitment of Scotland’s shipbuilding workforce can compete with the best in the world. But for half a century the industry has been let down by the UK - it doesn't play on a level playing field. A BAE Systems £10 billion deal with Norway to supply five Type 26 frigates of a design commissioned by the Royal Navy is a big win for the Clyde. But at the same time, Scotland’s shipyards… ## [Britain Is More Than England—Is Westminster Finally Ready to Admit It?](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/britain-is-more-than-englandis-westminster) _2025-10-16 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ Labour—and the Conservatives before them—have long treated events in England as the only ones that truly matter. Is that finally changing? ## [Scotland’s Independence Dividend – what would you choose?](https://yesinpictures.substack.com/p/scotlands-independence-dividend-what) _2025-09-29 · Scotland Yes in Pictures · Scotland Yes in Pictures_ Scotland would be much better off independent from the UK and back in the EU. What would you put top of your list for funding from an “Independence Dividend”? ## [Westminster knocks out Scotland’s rocket launch](http://www.businessforscotland.com/westminster_knocks_out_scotland_s_rocket_launch) _2025-09-11 · Andrew MacLeod · Articles - Business for Scotland_ Scotland’s chance to lead Europe in small-satellite launch is under threat. The Scottish Affairs Committee couldn’t have put it plainer this week: our “first-mover advantage” is being knocked back by a UK Government that won’t match the sector’s pace with sustained, strategic backing. ## [Independence is Good for Business: Talent and Migration](http://www.businessforscotland.com/independence_is_good_for_business_talent_and_migration) _2025-09-05 · Marcus Kemp · Articles - Business for Scotland_ Why Scotland needs to control its own talent strategy Scotland cannot afford immigration rules made for someone else’s economy. Our current migration system is designed in Westminster, for the politics of England - and without consultation with Scotland’s Government or its people.