Parliament has now returned after the Christmas recess, and what a month January has been.

We have seen the Conservative Government attempt to push through ‘anti-strike’ legislation, which will restrict the ability of certain groups to go on strike to protect themselves from the kind of hardships currently emerging in the UK.

Alongside my colleagues in the SNP, I am entirely opposed to anti-trade union laws and wish to see the proposals scrapped.

Equally as concerning, the Conservative Government’s Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is now with the House of Lords to be considered.

This Bill poses a real risk to a wide range of rights, by automatically repealing nearly 4,000 pieces of legislation.

The laws at risk provide protections for the environment, for animal welfare, workers’ rights, and food standards.

The Bill as currently introduced would give Ministers, rather than Parliament, powers to preserve, repeal or replace retained EU law with other laws.

In the House of Commons on January 18, along with all of my colleagues in the SNP group at Westminster, I voted to reject the Bill.

Regrettably, however, with the Conservative Government’s large majority, the Bill was supported by 297 votes to 238 and has now progressed to the House of Lords.

Meanwhile, my work on the Privileges Committee investigating whether the former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson MP, misled the House of Commons over the “Partygate” affair continues to take up a considerable amount of my time.

Back in the constituency, I have had the pleasure of meeting with a number of constituents throughout January.

This included a meeting with Stuart Bates and Ron Ireland from South Ayrshire Paths Initiative, along with Siobhian Brown MSP, to listen to their plans for an art project in the Alloway tunnel.

They have my full support, and I look forward to seeing their progress on this.

Not long after this, I visited the independent Wellington School in Ayr, and was pleased to give a (strictly non-political) presentation to the students of the S3, National 5 Modern Studies class. My talk and their questions focused on the role and work of a Member of Parliament in the Constituency and in Parliament.

It was a great chance to meet the students and learn of their interest in political representation and modern democracy.

Most recently, I was delighted to meet with Whirly Marshall of Blackthorn Salt in Ayr (right) to present the firm a copy of an Early Day Motion which I recently submitted to Parliament.

The EDM recognises and congratulates Gregorie and Whirly Marshall, and their small team, for receiving numerous awards for their environmentally friendly and sustainable method of producing artisan salt crystals by the process of using water from the sea nearby.

I wish them every success in the future.