Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on education, economy and social justicehttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mva5rhsya22gI was glad to attend the annual conference of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Scotland this week and to discuss the important work they do, political leadership and how they can be positioned closer to the communities that they serve.11 Sep 2026 08:33 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mva5rhsya22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mv64y35l4k2gThe Scottish Government announced plans for an 'East Coast Arc' between Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews to link research business and universities, but the business minister was vague about what practical difference a new 'cluster development organisation' will make.10 Sep 2026 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv64y35l4k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mv3sapp3ik2gScotland is a good place to do business but there are issues that we need to address if we are going to get out of the sluggish growth that the Scottish economy has been experiencing for many years now.09 Sep 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3sapp3ik2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mv3fd5r2r22gThe transport secretary seemed unaware of an incident on the Glen Sannox ferry last year where 700kg of methane gas escaped in an uncontrolled release and some was sucked into the ship's ventilation system. It was described by CalMac as a "critical failure" and the...09 Sep 2026 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3fd5r2r22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mv34kixdyc2gScottish Government ministers have been reluctant to say anything about their interactions with Sanjeev Gupta's companies which they used public money to support, despite the Dalzell steel plant being inactive for two years and the government loan allegedly being transferred elsewhere.09 Sep 2026 08:27 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv34kixdyc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3muz6l7w2ss2gThe cumulative impact of offshore energy cables is putting the prawn fishing industry in North East Fife under real pressure and threatens its future. Some offshore developments have provided compensation to the fishermen who have been affected, but others haven't.08 Sep 2026 13:58 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3muz6l7w2ss2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3muol72qjhs24The murder of Stacy Hunter by her estranged husband who was on bail has left many people in the local community shocked and devastated. It has also raised real questions about the use of tagging and how technology could be used better to protect people in similar circumstances.04 Sep 2026 08:45 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3muol72qjhs24https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mum2lg6jwk24The Scottish Liberal Democrats secured funding in a previous budget to better support people with conditions such as long covid, ME and CFD. I questioned the health secretary about the implementation of that work and the creation of dedicated clinics.03 Sep 2026 08:42 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mum2lg6jwk24https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3muk5gmjiic24I asked the social justice secretary to be open about long waiting times for applicants for Adult Disability Payment and to address recommendations from Audit Scotland.02 Sep 2026 14:28 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3muk5gmjiic24https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mujredtzdk24There are still uncertainties about the bus fare cap in Scotland even as it is about to be expanded, including what it will mean for the number of bus routes and future investment. The transport committee will continue to look at these issues and will question the transport secretary next week.02 Sep 2026 10:52 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mujredtzdk24https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mujnsgqogc24I responded to the Programme for Government and emphasised the need to deliver improvements in people's daily lives. There were some encouraging signs, but I urged the government to be cautious about sweeping structural change which could get in the way of work for services to work together.02 Sep 2026 09:48 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mujnsgqogc24https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3muhpitsezs24The Scottish Government provided a £7 million loan to support the Dalzell steel mill, but the plant hasn't been active for two years and the money was allegedly transferred elsewhere.01 Sep 2026 15:13 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhpitsezs24https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mu5agpna732fIt was great to visit the St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company last week and to see up close the hard work which goes into making their award-winning cheeses.28 Aug 2026 11:17 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5agpna732fhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mtyo6siiud2fI visited Balcaskie Farm today to meet the estate's manager and a representative from Quality Meat Scotland. I learned a lot about the herd of Lincoln Red cows and the wider importance of cattle farming to Scotland's economy.26 Aug 2026 15:40 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyo6siiud2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mtydc43ul32fI was glad to visit the Quaker Oats factory outside Cupar last week and was grateful for the opportunity to tour the facility and to discuss the business and some of the policy issues they're facing.26 Aug 2026 12:25 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtydc43ul32fhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mtw5pphftc2fI spent yesterday helping out on a creel boat, the Fiona S, with its captain Richard and his son Jamie. Thankfully for the most part it was a beautiful sunny day and the sea was calm, although I wasn’t quite so steady when the waves got up in the afternoon.25 Aug 2026 15:40 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtw5pphftc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mtvtln2zhk2fThis morning I joined Andy who showed me the ropes at the Royal Mail delivery office in St Andrews and took me out on a delivery round in the town. It was a useful experience to see how this important service operates.25 Aug 2026 12:39 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvtln2zhk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mttmjgk77c25It was fantastic to visit the Strathkinness Community Garden earlier this month and to see their extensive activities, from growing fruit and vegetables to the soil health project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22WCvrMe6Yo24 Aug 2026 15:27 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttmjgk77c25https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mt44n2pzks2rWe had a good discussion about the issues affecting tourism in North East Fife with Marc Crothall (Scottish Tourism Alliance) and Kristian Campbell, manager, Fairmont St. Andrews. We discussed visitor numbers and patterns, tourism tax, business rates review, workforce, short term lets and more.15 Aug 2026 07:11 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt44n2pzks2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mrz3fhxkhc25It’s going to be a creative week at the Pittenweem Arts Festival with lots of new, young talent featuring alongside the traditional. You’ll still enjoy the tiny studios tucked away up closes, garages & lofts with music & local food on the streets. 1st-8th August. www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk01 Aug 2026 08:46 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrz3fhxkhc25https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mrpp3ndjvc2mI visited the St Andrews Environmental Network last week to see one of their projects which involves repurposing surplus items from local businesses and distributing them to people in need. If you think your business could get involved then please contact the charity.28 Jul 2026 15:12 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrpp3ndjvc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mrmyhvymls2mIt was wonderful to attend the Falkland Festival and St. Monans Sea Queen Festival with Wendy Chamberlain on Saturday. These great events show the vibrancy of North East Fife's communities and they are valued summer traditions.27 Jul 2026 13:22 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrmyhvymls2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mrmqfy66ms2mI was glad to meet the new leadership of the University of St Andrews Students' Association last week and to discuss the priorities they want to address during their term.27 Jul 2026 10:57 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrmqfy66ms2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mr3lw4fk522kIt was fantastic to visit Native Aqua in St Andrews last week to learn about their work to restore the oyster population off Scotland's shores. They have spawned native oyster larvae, one of the few times this has been done in Scotland, representing a significant milestone in the project.20 Jul 2026 15:22 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr3lw4fk522khttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mplq474j4k26It was fantastic to welcome Richard Tough to the formal opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament as North East Fife’s 'local hero'. He has done a substantial amount of good work for his community and good causes, and I hope that being included in the opening ceremony goes some way to... 1/401 Jul 2026 14:29 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mplq474j4k26https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mpgehsl5vk26I joined an open letter of MSPs to the UK Government, calling on them to intervene and pause the decision to remove Coastguard Rescue Officers' paid renumeration for call-outs and training. CROs are highly-trained volunteers and do vital work to keep people safe along our shores and in our waters.29 Jun 2026 11:17 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpgehsl5vk26https://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mp2apfmudk2wThere are real challenges facing the country. We need to address the cost of living and grow the economy, support people into employment and improve education. But we won't solve problems by stoking division in society, as Reform try to do.24 Jun 2026 15:38 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp2apfmudk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mozzjaixl22wI convened the first evidence session of the Transport Committee in this session of the Scottish Parliament, scrutinising the decision of Loganair to cut Inverness flights to and from the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.24 Jun 2026 13:29 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mozzjaixl22whttps://bsky.app/profile/willierennie.bsky.social/post/3mozkt6ibcc2wWhile the Scottish Government complained that it wasn't involved in the UK Government's new legislation on the steel industry, the business minister was completely unaware of developments at the Dalzell steel plant in Lanarkshire, despite the Scottish Government having an outstanding... 1/224 Jun 2026 09:06 +0000at://did:plc:qdvtkf6cwfm24zyybe5tp64v/app.bsky.feed.post/3mozkt6ibcc2w