It is easy to see why some people have lost faith in politics.
Your bills are going up, petrol prices are up, and the weekly shop is more expensive than ever.
But if you were to tune into Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement last week you’d barely have known it.
Faced with a cost of living crisis that will mean the biggest fall in living standards since rationing, the reaction from Scotland’s two governments has been business as usual.
The Tories promised a tax cut for the wealthiest rather than help for millions of families.
In Holyrood things aren’t much better - when I pressed Nicola Sturgeon on what more her government would do now the answer was as predictable as it was depressing.
The SNP said they’ve done enough - the only solution is more constitutional rows and division.
Both the SNP and the Conservatives failed to back a windfall tax on oil and gas companies making £44,000 a minute.
And the big answer we’ve had from the SNP, is to give households less than £4 a week off council tax.
The Scottish Government have increased rail fares and put up water charges.
In the middle of a cost of living emergency.
When we hear stories of families turning down potatoes at food banks because they can’t afford to cook them, surely it is a time we’ve all got to admit that our politics can’t keep replaying the same old arguments?
It doesn’t matter if you voted yes or no, your bills are going up now.
That’s why Scottish Labour have set out the actions both Governments should take.
A windfall tax on oil and gas giants to reduce bills by up to £600.
A £200 grant to help you pay for rising bills now.
And here in Scotland, a £400 payment to support struggling families and £100 water charges rebate.
That’s over £1000 to support families most in need. Stretching the powers of both governments to make a real difference.
Every level of Government - from your local councillor to the Prime Minister and First Minister - must be focussed on bringing down bills, not division and political bickering.
I believe - and I know it’s a belief that wont be shared by everyone reading this - that people become politicians for the right reasons.
Because they want to see people’s lives changed for the better.
But I also know that in the day-to-day bear pit of debates and rows, it is too easy to lose sight of that.
My fear is that is what we’re seeing now.
Politicians picking the comfort of old arguments instead of rising to our harsh new reality.
So my promise to you - in this column and in everything I do - is a simple one; I’ll be on your side.
If there is an issue you think is being ignored I want to hear from you.
I’ll do my bit to stand up for what needs said - and make your coffee break a bit more interesting.
And together, we can build a better future for Scotland.
The High Street Strikes Back
With local elections on May 5th I’ve been doing my favourite part of this job - getting out and meeting people.
As we try to get back to something that resembles normal out of the pandemic, I’m taking a moment to enjoy the small stuff.
Cinema trips with my sons. A quick coffee on a sunny afternoon.
But too many city and town centres feel like they are the last thought of the Scottish Government.
Restaurants struggle, cafés close and there are more empty shopfronts by the day.
It wasn’t a compliment when Hollywood producers decided Glasgow was the perfect stand in for Gotham in the newest Batman film.
But across Scotland now, the message I’ve heard is the same.
People are proud of where they are from. They want it to succeed.
I’ve lived in Glasgow all my life. I think it’s the greatest city in the world.
But it’s been failed by the SNP.
As we go into local elections it’s something I’ll keep talking about - how we clean up town centres and jump start local economies.
I want to this May to be the turning point for a new story - The High Street Strikes Back.
Welcome to Scotland kids
Pictures of the children displaced by the Ukraine war have rightly haunted our papers and TV screens.
So the images of the Dnipro children arriving reminded me that even in our darkest moments there is kindness and hope.
Welcome to Scotland - home for as long as you want or need it to be.
