Susan Murray Newsletter - By-election win and Mandelson reaction

SM
6 Feb 2026
Susan Murray in front of a stone staircase in the houses of parliament.

A local update from your Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, Susan Murray. On this week's update, the Bearsden South by-election win, reaction to the Mandelson scandal and a number of weekly updates.


Message from Ben Langmead, your new Scottish Liberal Democrat Councillor for Bearsden South

 

“I am delighted to represent the people of Bearsden South. I shall continue to work hard for the people of Bearsden and do all I can to improve people’s lives in the area. I look forward to joining my fellow Scottish Liberal Democrats on the council. The same Liberal Democrat team who got the Allander built, who prioritised a new Boclair Academy and who offer sensible solutions to benefit as many people as possible."

Willie Rennie, Adam Harley, Ben Langmead, Susan Murray and Jamie Greene smiling for a group photo in Bearsden.

Message from Jamie Greene MSP, Liberal Democrat Candidate for the West of Scotland

 

"Many readers will be aware of the perilous state of Scotland’s public finances. As a member of the Public Audit Committee, I've been scrutinising the Scottish Government’s accounts, and the findings are stark. Audit Scotland projects a £2.6 billion funding gap by 2029/30, despite income tax revenues reaching £1.7 billion, the highest level since devolution. Yet people are paying more while public services continue to feel the strain.

 

This is the direct result of years of SNP financial mismanagement, and communities are paying the price. Locally, we have pressed the Scottish Government to fund essential infrastructure, such as a new medical centre for Milngavie, only to be told there is no money. Blaming councils is not good enough when local government is under severe financial pressure too. The SNP must stop talking and start managing public funds properly so local services can be delivered."

Speaking on removing the two-child benefit cap

 

The decision to lift the two-child benefit cap is the right moral choice. The Labour Government should listen to the Liberal Democrat proposals for a windfall tax on banks in order to fund these changes.

Discussing the Mandelson scandal with Politics Scotland

This week in Westminster I spoke on the disgraceful scandal involving the Labour Government's appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the United States of America.

Addressing the Mandelson scandal in the House of Commons

 

On Thursday I addressed the House of Commons to highlight the importance of the Nolan Principles in light of the latest Epstein developments.

BBC Royal Charter Review, Green Paper and public consultation

 

The Government is consulting the public to aid decision-making on the terms for the BBC Charter’s renewal and any changes needed to help the BBC to continue to serve the public. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/britains-story-the-next-chapter-the-bbc-royal-charter-review-green-paper-and-public-consultation 

Petition to extend the ferries compensation scheme 

 

The Scottish Government’s ferry fiasco is a national embarrassment. It’s cost us a fortune, and yet no SNP minister has ever had the decency to resign. Scottish Liberal Democrats have been arguing for years that islanders and coastal communities deserve compensation for the colossal disruption to their lives. https://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/ferry-compensation 

LOCAL PLANNING CONSULTATIONS

 

Views are being sought on a range of planning issues including the historic environment, housing and developer contributions for schools.

 

You can find all the information here

ROAD CLOSURES AND WORKS

 

Up-to-date information on the roads affected by closures and road works across the constituency is available here.

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

 

Whether you voted for me or not I am here to help you.

 

If you have any issues or concerns you think I might be able to help with please get in touch. You may have problems with your pension, benefits, housing, NHS, education or taxation. I may not be able to solve every problem but I will try.

 

My office is currently at Unit 44F, Huntershill Village, Bishopbriggs, G64 1RP. I have no parliamentary phone line at present. You can email me on Susan.Murray.MP@parliament.uk 

 

You can receive updates of my work on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/susanmurraymp/ 

 

Or you can contact your local Liberal Democrat Councillor.

 

Bearsden North

alan.reid@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

 

Bearsden South

vaughan.moody@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

 

Bishopbriggs South

ben.rose@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 

 

Milngavie

aileen.polson@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 


P.S. Get updates

If you’ve enjoyed this, please spread the word and tell your friends by forwarding it to them. Anyone can sign up to get updates from Susan and the local Lib Dems via email here.

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