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If you're in London, be sure to visit Westminster


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Stone's Throw by Jamie Stone

The Far North has a long and honourable tradition of high quality representation in Westminster.

A good example is Bob Maclennan, who had an admirably sure touch with his constituents. Everyone from Evanton to Durness to John O’ Groats seemed to know “Bob”.

Jamie Stone.
Jamie Stone.

He had a personal relationship with those who first elected him in 1966, the like of which I believe is very rare in British politics (although from what I know of the late Sir David Amess who died so tragically a few weeks ago in his Southend West constituency, there have been examples of incredibly good MPs in other parts of the UK).

One of the most enduring things about Bob was the way he would encourage young people to use him to develop their careers. Many older readers of this column will remember this aspect of his generous character.

Bob and his wife Helen would put constituents up for free in their London house and he was also delighted to take local people to his office in Westminster and introduce them to the rules of parliamentary democracy.

Indeed, when I think back on my first faltering steps on the national stage, in the Scottish Parliament, I am grateful for all Bob’s many kindnesses.

In 1999 I asked Harry Miller, a Caithness man who had moved to Tain, and who introduced me to the Liberal Democrat party, whether he thought I could win the seat in the Scottish Parliament.

He said: "If Bob is with you, then you will. He will go the extra mile and he has a very fine reputation."

His words proved to be true. And the strange thing is that today, as I tackle a political issue that impacts on the Far North, I often ask myself what Bob would have done.

He was a man of the highest standards, someone who would fight for anyone he thought had been mistreated or wronged by officialdom.

I say all this for a deliberate reason. Politicians have had a worsening reputation of late and I simply wanted to highlight an example to show this need not be so.

On a lighter note, I write this column at a time when I had the pleasure of welcoming a young constituent to Westminster. (Did I hear Bob whispering in my ear? Yes I did.)

We all massively hope that Covid is on the retreat and that a return to more normal life is in the offing. I hope that during the months and years ahead my team and I in Westminster can offer as many as possible the chance of coming to Westminster to see what it is all about.

Put it this way, many readers may pass through London heading off on holiday. So, if it’s on a weekday why not lift the phone and pop in to see the Mother of Parliaments?

Two final points in closing. The first is that, in truth, having young people from the constituency joining us in Westminster brightens up the day hugely.

My second point is simply an anecdote - the time the Wick Sea Scouts came to visit Westminster.

My parliamentary researcher Emma and I were showing them the Central Lobby in Westminster with its statues of Gladstone, Churchill and people stepping out of the pages of history.

One scout turned to me and said: “Will ye get a statue till yersel’ Jimmy?” I had to confess that I thought this was most unlikely.

Jamie Stone is the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.


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