After the recent local elections, I was very honoured to have been elected as the Provost of Argyll and Bute by my fellow councillors at the first meeting of the new term.
I’m looking forward to undertaking my work throughout Argyll and Bute as the Provost, to visiting all parts of the Argyll and Bute Council area, and to meeting as many people and organisations as possible.
I shall be able to draw on my previous experience as a councillor in Argyll and Bute, having represented the Lomond North ward from 2012 to 2017, and at the Scottish Parliament, where I served as an MSP for the West Scotland region from 2016 until 2021.
I am especially keen to meet as many of those people who have contributed greatly to their local communities and often are our unsung heroes.
Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North)
We have just celebrated the wonderful Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty, recognising her 70 years as our Queen of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth.
What a truly wonderful example she has been – of outstanding service and loyalty to her country and the Commonwealth, and a true example to us all of service and loyalty.
Her Majesty’s happiness and good humour shone through during the weekend’s celebrations, in which she was seen surrounded by her close family – and even taking a cream tea with Paddington Bear at the start of Saturday night’s special concert outside Buckingham Palace.
The four days of celebrations gave us all a wonderful chance to reflect on the past 70 years of the Queen’s reign whilst enjoying the Trooping of the Colour, the Red Arrows’ fly-past, the service at St Paul’s Cathedral, the concert in The Mall and finally the spectacular People’s Pageant on Sunday.
The Queen and members of the Royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch Sunday's People's Pageant (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
At the same time, I am very conscious of the issues facing us all in Argyll and Bute, Scotland and the UK as a whole – in particular the worries resulting from the rate of inflation and the cost of living increases in food, electricity and gas prices.
The effects on Europe, and indeed the world, of Vladimir Putin’s aggression and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on European security and supplies of wheat and other food commodities are especially concerning.
We, as the UK, are very fortunate to be a strong member of NATO and long may this continue to protect our country and people.
By us all working together, helping each other, and looking out for those less fortunate in our communities, I wish to see us build strong and vibrant communities where there are opportunities for all, whilst caring for each other throughout Argyll and Bute.
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