Willie Rennie’s Christmas message

By Willie Rennie | Sat 24th December 2016 - 10:55 am

The festive season affords us the opportunity to reflect on what is important in life.

During the festive season we witness the joy that comes from acts of generosity and we can see that there is much to be celebrated. Our thanks must go out to those who work over Christmas including the emergency services who keep us safe. Our thoughts are with those who are unwell, alone or struggling. And our appreciation is with those who come to their aid.

However, there is little doubt we are in a more uncertain and dark place in global affairs. The election of President Trump and the decision to sever links with our friends in Europe have taken our society in the wrong direction.

With attacks in Turkey, the conflict in Yemen, and the war in Syria with its awful reports from Aleppo, it is imperative we do not turn our backs no matter how difficult the challenge.

Yet there is hope in the response to these conflicts and to the rise of divisive politics. The positive alternative of government and charitable international aid combined with alternative voices that promote tolerance, optimism, openness and unity means that there is light amongst this darkness.

There is hope at Christmas.

Enjoy Christmas.

* Willie Rennie is a Member of the Scottish Parliament and former Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

5 Comments

Stuart 24th Dec '16 - 1:33pm

Politicians’ Eid messages always mention the religious significance of Eid. Why does this message make no reference at all to the religious significance of Christmas?
Tynan 24th Dec '16 - 8:09pm

Good point,well made, dare I suggest we already know the answer?
Mr D Brooks 24th Dec '16 - 9:18pm

Hey Willie,

Thanks for the commentary on the world.

Talk to me about home now. How tolerant are you of non white folk ?

Do you have any in your team yet ?

I hope there has been positive change.

Kind regards

Duwayne Brooks OBE
Richard Underhill 26th Dec '16 - 8:23am

Trump is not President yet, as the vote in the United Nations Security Council showed.
http://guardian.ng/news/netanyahu-calls-in-us-envoy-in-fallout-over-un-vote/
Jayne Mansfield 26th Dec '16 - 7:17pm

The Independent can only be accessed online and the Guardian is in dire straits, so it has been a great year for journalists and politicians of the Right of the political spectrum.