Being an MSP in Sri Lanka

I guess it's a little surprising to regular readers of this blog that I'm in Sri Lanka and making no comment about the political situation here. There are a number of reasons for that but the most important one is because right now I think my job is to listen to people. And that's what I've been doing. In Glasgow I have a number of Sinhalese constituents and a number of Tamil Sri Lankans. They all have different views on the situation out here and the same is true in the country itself.

I've been speaking to local people from a variety of different backgrounds and I'm going to be meeting with politicians and a number of other people to find out how they feel about things and what they would like from us in terms of support to regenerate the economy and rebuild the north. I will also be asking a number of questions. However I've been surprised by some of the answers I've been getting and it's forced me to look at things a little differently and to do some thinking. So ONE of the main reasons is that I want to dispense with thinking I know what's best and actually listen before coming to any conclusions.

The other reason? Here's a clue: George Bowie Radio Clyde Daily Donkey; Real Radio Fugitive; both of them have something in common with this explanation which I will give on my return. It will make sense, I promise!