Richard Leonard

1 week ago | morningstaronline.co.uk | Richard Leonard

AS each day passes, the socialist argument for an industrial strategy, an economic plan, and democracy in our economy grows ever stronger. At the start of last week, I visited the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde. Ferguson Marine is in public ownership. Its record in building two new large-scale ferries for Scotland’s island communities has been the subject of much public scrutiny because of significant delays and substantial cost overruns.

2 weeks ago | mondaq.com | Shane Sweeney |Richard Leonard |Emily Mac Nicholas |Ruairí Stewart

The Government's much-anticipated proposals toreform the rules on rent and security of tenure in the residentialtenancy sector were finally announced on 10 June. At a high level,there's something for everyone. There is a relaxation of therent control rules for new apartments and future tenancies andgreater security for renters. The reaction will be mixed but thehope must be that these new reforms bring us closer to achievingthe holy grail of regulatory stability that the sector so badlyneeds.

Apr 25, 2024 | thenational.scot | Richard Leonard |Labour MSP

Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags as they blockade the entrance to a BAE Systems' factory calling for an end to arms sales to Israel. Photo: Getty Images THE siege and bombardment of Gaza is illegal. Innocent people are being punished for a crime that they did not commit. The UK Government’s licensing of UK-based armament firms to sell the tools of this siege and bombardment makes them complicit. We do not need to see a legal opinion to act on this. An immediate ceasefire is required.

Mar 20, 2024 | knox.villagesoup.com | Richard Leonard

“No Mow May” is bad for Rockland and Midcoast Maine. The idea comes from large, densely populated cities where there is no room for wildflowers for pollinating insects. Not so in Rockland — we are surrounded by large fields, we have a mountain, a bog and the meadows; there are many areas within the city limits for insects.

Dec 13, 2023 | scotsman.com | Richard Leonard

​Once again the fate of Grangemouth, its workers and this community, so reliant on skilled jobs, is being contemplated following the announcement by Petroineos that it plans to end its oil refinery operations in the spring of 2025. ​This is a major concern but it does provide us with some time that must be used to develop a plan for the site. Nothing is yet set in stone and it is important that no one treats it as such.