In his column this month, Councillor Gary Mulvaney considers the punishing of Conservative pensioners in favour of Labour unions by the new UK Government.

Despite the optimism, change and promised new horizons offered by Sir Keir Starmer just over two months ago, it seems remarkable how events at the start of his premiership may irretrievably and substantively define it for good, whether his term is short or long.

Three things come to mind.

The first is the abolition of the universal winter fuel payment, and whilst fiscally any saving in the context of pensioner payments or overall government spending is relatively small, in many ways it is the feeling that this group in society has been targeted that angers so many I speak to.

Having worked and paid into the system for maybe 50 years, are they no longer worthy? Or is that fact that age group are more likely to vote Conservative a reason why they have been picked on?

Sitting alongside this targeted decision, are the multi-billion pay awards (£9.5 billion to date) to a host of public sector unions.

Train drivers £10,000 wage rise, junior doctors 22 per cent increase to name two, sit uncomfortably alongside the somewhat miserly £300 taken away from pensioners.

But with unions have given generously to the Labour war chest and fighting fund, the piper was always going to be paid back.

The final aspect that adds to a sense of harshness injustice is having sought to bring back integrity to our politics, we have seen a revolving door of Labour apparatchiks appointed to plum government posts.

Passes and pay-packets at the public expenses – the pick of which has to be the “passes for glasses” scandal with Labour donor Lord Alli having paid for PM Sir Keir’s suits and glasses in return for privileged access to No10.

Should have gone to Specsavers!

My own take is that these Labour choices will not be forgotten and may well define Starmer’s premiership for good.

Cycle Path Challenge

There has been a fair bit of publicity on the Dumbarton to Helensburgh Cycle Path following a recent public meeting by Jackie Ballie MSP, and it was discussed extensively at the recent area committee meeting too.

Whilst all councillors accept this project is a priority and agree that over 20 years and counting, it has taken too long, there are several issues that have adversely impacted on delivery – the biggest being the hand-to-mouth, year-to-year funding from Scottish Government agency, Sustrans.

This method of funding has meant the current plan takes us out to 2032. 

My challenge to Labour and our redoubtable Dame Jackie is to commit that any future Labour Scottish Government will fully fund the entire project cost in 2026.

For that I would throw in the naming rights too… the Dame Jackie Cycle Path to Immortality.