Simita Kumar

Heard about Labour’s ‘Pride in Place’ funding? A £20m headline means nothing when the numbers don’t add up. Edinburgh deserves real investment, not political illusions. Read my article below 👇 www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

BREAKING: At least 91 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn, medical sources have told Al Jazeera. 🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/7770yd

EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Labour have been condemned after it emerged that Jackie Baillie met with a private healthcare firm to discuss providing eye care services for Scotland’s NHS

Last week I joined a public meeting by @ThriveEdinburgh on proposed EIJB cuts to mental health services. After last year’s Third Sector cuts—now this? www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/edinburghs-mental-health-care-crisis-and-the-ijbs-failure-of-leadership-simita-kumar-5154204

Labour ditched real roles—like vice convenors for Housing, Education, Culture & Transport—to invent a bogus £32k quasi-judicial gig for the Tories. Calling it a ‘myth’? That’s a slap in the face to every taxpayer footing the bill for this fantasy post. www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...

Delighted to be selected as @theSNP candidate for Edinburgh South Western! Grateful to our local members for your trust, support, and belief in me. Now, the work begins—to fight for a fairer, greener, independent Scotland. #SNP #ScottishIndependence #StrongerForScotland

Edinburgh SNP councillors and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cllr Val Walker. Our thoughts are with Val's family and friends, and the Labour group at this difficult time. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article...

@kate-c.bsky.social is an incredibly hardworking councillor who is passionate about her local community. She has been a powerhouse in her fight against unionist politics and she’ll be a formidable advocate as MSP in the Scottish Parliament.

@nicolasturgeon.bsky.social has been a trailblazer for Scotland and an inspiration to me and women everywhere. Her leadership, resilience, and dedication have shaped a better future for our country. Thank you Nicola - for your service and for paving the way for the next generation. #ThankYouNicola

Deeply disappointed by #ScottishLabour councillors on budget. No good idea or investment went unpunished. ❌£0 - holiday hubs ❌£0 - youth work ❌£0 - Gorgie Farm ❌£0 - Ratho bus ❌£0 - Poverty ❌£0 - Climate ❌ £0 - Public Toilets = ❌ Zero Leadership Shameful.

Tourist Tax passed in @Edinburgh_CC with a weak Labour amendment that favoured Tories yet again to vote against £1b investment into housing. No backbone, no courage, no leadership.

Monumental day for tourist tax in Edinburgh. But shamefully, Labour most comfortable siding with Tories to vote against SNP’s plan to invest £20M into housing providing an extra 1,000 homes #LabourChaos www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-tourist-tax-approved-in-30807155

Excellent response on the doorsteps today for @mc1yde.bsky.social , the local SNP candidate for the Colinton/Oxgangs/Fairmilehead by-election. #SNP

Congratulations to Cllr Meagher on becoming Labour Group leader in Edinburgh. I welcome another woman leader in the Council. However, given serious allegations of corruption and fraud, Labour simply cannot remain in administration. Due process must be allowed to take its course.

Scotland faces tough challenges as a result of Westminster’s choices. Despite budget constraints, it’s taking the right steps to shield communities and families from the worst impacts of Labour’s policies. Read my latest article 👇 www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion...

Serious allegations have been made against Council Leader - Councillor Cammy Day. I have written to Paul Lawrence, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, to take immediate actions to safeguard the public, protect staff, and offer support to anyone impacted.

This is beyond shocking, I’m almost lost for words. Cammy Day needs to resign as Council Leader immediately.

The Scottish Budget delivers for Edinburgh: 👶 Mitigates cruel 2-child benefit cap 🏛️ Uplifts funding for local govt 📚 Boosts support for Additional Support Needs 🏞️ Funds improved play parks 🏡 Increases investment in affordable housing 🎭 Strengthens support for culture sector

Some personal news!📕 Our book (Displacement, Borders, and Unsettling Narratives) has been published! Migration topic has never been more important to understand than now! Please repost& have a read if you’re interested! Thanks to all contributors & publisher link.springer.com/book/10.1007...

Yet again: A high profile man called out for his harassment, responds with arrogance, will no doubt call it “cancel culture” and be welcomed on a few podcasts…institutions will promise change, but do little, and then the sexist cycle will start again. All on the shoulders of women who speak out.

A very Happy St. Andrew’s Day to everyone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

A final tour of her beloved fringe city. I went to a Janey show in free fringe - at the end she explained how she paid her team fairly and so donations were welcome. She also offered folk to take a fiver instead if you need it no questions asked. RIP Janey ❤️

In one of those random coincidences the universe sometimes serves up, having been unable to make Janey’s Edinburgh send-off, I found myself behind her hearse all the way back west. ‘You better no crash intae the back as me’ I could hear her say. An honour to chum you home, pal. See you tomorrow 😢

Lovely turnout on the #RoyalMile for @janeygodley.bsky.social today. We took our clicky pens! RIP Janey, thank you for everything 💔

Duddingston Crescent closed following crash – Emergency Services on scene An Edinburgh street has been closed due to a crash. Emergency Services are in attendance at Duddingston Crescent at Hope Lane and Magdalene Drive which was reported at 12.15pm. Police are asking road users to use an…

The SNP Scottish Government will introduce a universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, following the UK Labour government's decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment to 900,000 Scots. "We will not abandon older people this winter or any winter" - @sa4dunfermline.bsky.social 👏

A bit of good news! 🌟 We recently unveiled restored canal path benches near the canal at Ashley Terrace Bridge. Local craftsman Richard Ryrko breathed new life into two decades-old benches, making them safer and more comfortable for walkers and community groups. Community spirit in action!

A fun, inclusive, mass bike ride, highlighting the need for safe routes for women and girls. Light up and decorate your bikes! This Friday evening!

Delivering for Scotland! Everyone in Scotland has benefitted from SNP Government policies. www.snp.org/achievements/

25th Nov marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women & the start of #16DaysOfActivism. In Scotland, 1 in 5 women face domestic abuse, with 64,000 cases recorded last year. Let’s stand in solidarity and act now to #EndViolenceAgainstWomen safer.scot/information/...

Labour’s Anas Sarwar would like you all to forget it was his party in the UK who took away the Winter Heating Payment from our pensioners. This is smoke and mirrors.His time to save the WFP was weeks ago ahead of the UK Budget-by picking up the phone to Rachel Reeves.

Huge concerns if this is correct. The direct costs to #LocalGovernment in Scotland £265million. Commissioned services in health & social care £85million. SCVO costs £75million & the list goes on... GPs, Pharmacies, Transport providers, Childcare Providers! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

An absolute honour to receive @thesnp.bsky.social Councillor of the Year award at the St Andrew’s awards dinner last night I couldn’t do what I do without the support of the fantastic Team @aberdeensnp.bsky.social

The Gaza death toll has risen to more than 44,175 Palestinians amid Israel's continued bombardment of the besieged enclave since October 7, 2023, says the health ministry. 🔴 LIVE updates ⤵️

EXCLUSIVE: Labour's plans to cut benefits will leave disabled Scots 'financially worse off', welfare charities have said🥀

NEW: A drop in support for Labour in Scotland has been 'clearly confirmed', Professor John Curtice has said. The polling expert said voting figures 'do not suggest Anas Sarwar is on course to become the next first minister' Get the full story: www.thenational.scot/news/2474439...

The Lib Dems’ leaflet during the by-election stooped to a new low: exposing councillors’ homes - some incorrectly. A gross invasion of privacy and outright dishonesty. While all this time, their ‘local’ candidate will be living 5,000 miles away. The audacity is unbelievable!

🗣️ 'He is meant to be a human rights lawyer but he has chosen to arm and support a genocide'

🥶Temperatures have dropped faster than Labour’s 🥀 manifesto promises. 🗳️Tomorrow you’ve got a chance to show them who will really stand up for communities in Scotland. In Maryhill #VoteSNP #Finn1

NEW: Ian Murray has refused to lift the Tory ban on Scottish gender reform - despite Scottish Labour having voted for it. The news has seen the Scottish Secretary accused of an 'affront to devolution' ⬇️

Here's your first look at tomorrow's front page 📰 'Chancer' Sarwar makes U-turn 🥀

Cllr Marco Biagi has announced his resignation from the Council to take up another position. While we are sad to lose his dedication and expertise, we are excited for his next chapter. He will be greatly missed by colleagues and constituents alike. More to follow.

🌹 During the election, Labour promised to cut energy bills by £300. 🥀 Bills are now forecast to rise in January by £168 on average, since Labour got in. 💷 A £468 cut is now required to meet that promise.

Labour councillors just voted against any further consideration of in-sourcing the cycle parking contract, along with the Tories & Lib Dems. In doing so, they rejected creating new public sector jobs & taking private profit out of public services. Why?