REPORTS about dog attacks resulting in fatalities may be causing understandable concerns, although the overwhelming majority of dogs in East Lothian are trusted family pets.

The First Minister acted swiftly to consider what cross-border measures might be appropriate for the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act (2010). Anyone feeling vulnerable, or at risk, can find relevant police information by searching “dangerous dogs” at askthe.scottish.police.uk or dialling 101 for advice.

Humza Yousaf, soon marking six months in post, has just been included among 24 world politicians in globally respected Time magazine’s list of emerging leaders. Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar backed the nomination, praising Humza’s ability to deepen economic and cultural links between Scotland and Ireland and lead “with passion and dedication”.

Respect from our closest European neighbour strengthens Scotland’s reputation on the world stage and a new YouGov poll shows support for the party Humza leads increasing over both Labour and Tories, the latter trailing 22 per cent behind. Labour’s recognition that the Brexit deal is “thin” doesn’t extend to an ambition to rejoin, making Scotland’s EU support increasingly astute as Brexit engulfs the UK.

East Lothian Courier: Paul McLennan, MSP for East LothianPaul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian

Research shows not a single asylum seeker arrived by small boat prior to a Brexit deal which created the loophole exploited by criminal people traffickers. Human migration needs multinational action, not failed Westminster schemes.

Voters see how policies impact on their own lives. Families and young people starting university recognise what the Fair Access Commissioner called the “unambiguous success”of the Scottish government’s efforts to widen university access.

Retail workers know that Scottish legislation makes abuse of shop workers an offence: John Lewis Partnership CEO Dame Sharon White wants that legislation applied UK wide.

And both junior doctors and rail workers have resolved pay negotiations with the Scottish Government, whereas strikes continue south of the border.

Isolated and ideologically blinkered Westminster has lost its moral authority. Theresa May claims a government minister “hid in a cupboard” rather than meet families of Hillsborough victims. Boris Johnson hid in a fridge to avoid press scrutiny; Penny Mordaunt had to deny in parliament that Liz Truss “was hiding under her desk”. Evading accountability is the opposite of the global leadership East Lothian voters deserve and Scotland needs.