Since my previous column in this paper, Liz Truss has resigned as Prime Minister and Rishi Sunak has been chosen to succeed her.
The new Prime Minister becomes the youngest in modern times as well as the first British Indian and Hindu Prime Minister and our second from an ethnic minority (after Benjamin Disraeli in 1868).
Party politics aside, I know that this will be a welcome sight for British Asians across the whole United Kingdom, including here in Banff and Buchan.
I am aware that there have been calls for a reactionary snap general election after the events of the last few weeks.
But those opposition parties calling for an election, are the same people who have been decrying the disruption facing people and businesses across the UK.
We are still in the process of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as increased costs of living and other global inflationary pressures exacerbated by Putin’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
A general election at this time would only prolong that disruption.
And readers will not be surprised to hear that I have similar views on the prospect of a further independence referendum.
I do not fear the result of such a referendum.
I am certain that the people of Scotland would once again choose to remain part our precious United Kingdom.
However, I also know that a damaging, and divisive referendum campaign is the last thing this country needs in these critical times.
We need stability and unity for the whole country, and to support our new Prime Minister to continue delivering both the recovery from Covid and protection from global turmoil, all while striving for essential economic growth.
It is unfortunate that recent political events have caused such a distraction from the more immediate issues and real priorities of most people.
I want to reassure my constituents that I remain – as ever – focussed on serving the people, communities and businesses of Banff and Buchan.
Closer to home, I know that the Turriff community will join me in wishing Connor Cruden all the best as he prepares to take on the world’s elite at the WorldSkills Plumbing finals due to be held in Germany.
Connor completed his four-year plumbing apprenticeship in 2020 having come top in 2019 at the SkillPLUMB UK finals to find the country’s most accomplished apprentice plumber.
In previous columns, I have written about my ongoing efforts to alleviate healthcare concerns in the Turriff area.
I have continued to work on this effort and plan to meet with the Scottish Ambulance Service soon, having had to reschedule a previous meeting due to the period of Her late Majesty’s National Mourning.
It is vital that the area is serviced by an ambulance full time so that residents are not left in fear that they will suffer because of longer waits
It is worth pointing out that an ambulance requires a crew of 9 needed to man an ambulance full time before the cost of the vehicle and maintenance is considered.
That is why the SNP Government who have been responsible for healthcare in Scotland for nearly 16 years must do better, stop diverting funds to preparing for needless independence campaigns and to properly invest in local and emergency care.
We need doctors, nurses and paramedics – not endless calls for disruptive, divisive and damaging referendums.