Recently, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh had the pleasure of attending a Headway East Lothian’s meeting in Musselburgh.
Headway is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation that supports adults with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), their families, and carers. The organisation provides a safe environment where ABI survivors can take part in therapeutic rehabilitation based activities providing skill building and education, as well as socialisation for those affected & much needed respite for family carers.
In the past, Mr Beattie has supported the efforts of the organisation and members, such as Fiona Grant-MacDonald, of Musselburgh, and her colleagues’ participation in a charity bike ride and climb in August, the Alternative 3 Peaks Challenge, ultimately raising over £6,000.
Concerning the organisation, Colin Beattie, MSP, said:
‘Headway East Lothian is a tremendous organisation to have in our area. After a loved one suffers an acquired brain injury, families wonder how they will cope and continue – Headway is a great support in such a situation, as well as helping those with ABI gain their confidence back. At the meeting, I was informed that Headway East Lothian is in urgent need of volunteers and as such I would encourage my constituents to volunteer if they are able.’
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit Headway’s website at www.headway-eastlothian.org.uk
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On Tuesday, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh, delivered a speech in the Scottish Parliament Chamber for the Unconventional Oil and Gas debate.
The SNP MSP has made his stance on fracking clear over the years as a supporter of the anti-fracking group, ‘Friends of the Earth,’ and participant in the ‘Hands Over Our Forth’ demonstration in 2015.
Colin Beattie, MSP noted in his speech:
‘Must we bring to Scotland fracking and the potential problems that accompany it, simply to learn the same lesson [as other countries]? My answer is no. Rather than subjecting our constituents to the risks of poisonous water and avoidable earthquakes, we need to ban fracking.
‘As my constituents and colleagues well know, I believe fracking has no place in Scotland. If coal-bed methane extraction were to occur in my constituency, the beautiful landscape would be forever marred, and Midlothian North and Musselburgh would run the risk of contaminated water and ruined soil. Such effects would be detrimental to our communities and we cannot stand by and let them happen.
 ‘We should and need to ban fracking without exception. I support the Scottish Government’s ban.’
Upon decision time, the motion, as amended, passed with 91 MSPs in favour and 28 against.
Concerning the immediate and effective ban on fracking, Colin Beattie commented:
‘Fracking infiltrating Scotland has been a concern of mine for many years and I am relieved that this will not be the case.’

Colin’s complete speech can be found at the following link: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11143&i=101614&c=2031177&s= 
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​Today Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, welcomed representatives of Musselburgh’s Honest Toun Association to the Scottish Parliament.
Honest Lass Hayley Johnston, Attendant Katie McLaren, and Honest Toun Association President Neil Wilson watched First Minister’s Questions in the Debating Chamber before joining Colin for lunch.
Commenting, Colin said:
“I was delighted to invite Neil, Hayley, and Katie into the Parliament today. 
“The Honest Toun Association does a tremendous job in upholding Musselburgh’s traditions and it’s always a pleasure to meet their representatives.
“I wish Hayley, Katie, and everyone at the Association all the best in the months ahead and I look forward to seeing their achievements!”

Today, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh welcomed this week’s announcement by the Scottish Government to ban fracking in Scotland.
Fracking is an extraction process to secure natural resources such as gas and oil. It is conducted by injecting liquid at high pressure to open existing fissures. Whilst it allows attainment of natural resources, it can have devastating environmental effects on the surrounding areas.
In May of this year, the Scottish Government completed a public consultation and welcomed the 60,535 responses from the general public – the second largest response to any Scottish Government consultation. Of these responses, 99% were in favour of a ban, and less than 1% were against.
Colin Beattie, MSP, stated:
 
‘I am wholeheartedly in favour of the immediate ban.
‘I strongly believe there should be no place for fracking in modern Scotland and have made my stance clear by supporting anti-fracking events, such as ‘Hands Over Our Forth,’ an anti-fracking demonstration in 2015, and sponsoring an anti-fracking event by Friends of the Earth.
‘If coal bed methane extraction were to occur in the Firth of Forth, Musselburgh’s beautiful landscape and sea views would be forever marred, before we even consider the environmental hazards that would accompany it as well.
‘If fracking were to occur within Midlothian, the environmental affects, especially concerning the possibility of contaminated water and ruined soil, would be detrimental to the community.
‘I believe the Scottish Government is taking the necessary steps to ban fracking and we are headed in the right direction.’