Buffer zone law must be upheld as anti-abortion protestors announce new 'vigils'
Women who attend abortion clinics should be free to do so without being harassed by strangers. This is a position the majority of Scots will agree with without a second thought.
But sadly, despite the introduction of buffer zones to keep anti-abortion protesters a safe distance away from clinic entrances, there remains a small but vocal minority who wish to confront women in person.
Texas-based 40 Days for Life announced online it will hold a series of 'prayer vigils' near the Chalmers Clinic in Edinburgh in September.
The activity is expected to last for 40 days and will commence from September 24 with the last 'vigil' to take place on November 2.
But the organisation has suggested it will gather across the road from the clinic's entrance - ignoring the 200m buffer zone that is now law.
Anti-abortion groups are entitled to their beliefs but they are not above the law. The group has been known to harass women outside healthcare facilities offering abortion services across Scotland in recent years.
Repeatedly targeted clinics include those at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Sandyford Clinic, Edinburgh Chalmers Street Clinic and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
It's up to police to ensure any protest is legal and does not subject women to unwanted harassment.
Scotland upholds freedom of expression. But it also upholds the rights of people to attend medical clinicians without being targeted by political campaigners.
The law is there, it must be upheld for all our benefit.
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Bussed of British
To slow down climate change we need to get more people onto public transport and out of fuel and petrol cars.
So if we're going to build an environmentally friendly public transport network, we should be buying as many vehicles from UK manufacturers as possible.
Alexander Dennis' two factories in the Falkirk area could be a big part of this. We have already seen how many of their buses have been bought for public use in Manchester.
If we need to change the law in order to procure vehicles from our own country, then so be it.
We need more high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Scotland, not less. Not only do these benefit the economy as a whole but they also help keep our communities together.
Euan Stainbank is right to fight for his constituents and try to keep the jobs in the area.
It will be a sad day if the historic firm leaves Scotland.
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