MSPs voted to set up the new Scottish Social Security system and promised things would be done differently in Scotland.

Holyrood won’t have control of all social security but will have power over 11 key benefits.

The promises came thick and fast. It would be based on dignity and respect. It would be a system with fairness at its heart and would be informed by people who use the system.

Which is a good starting point and a whole lot better than the system currently presided over by Westminster where people are hounded, harassed and bullied with a punitive system of sanctions designed to save money by taking it away from those who need it most and who can least afford to lose it.

The proof of the pudding is as always in the eating and only when people in Scotland get a taste of this new system can it be judged.

You can’t eat dignity, respect wont pay the gas bill over the winter months and if anyone has tried sending their kids to school with fairness on their feet they will know that it is money that is needed.

Scotland taking control of Social Security must see fewer people in poverty. We must be able and willing to completely eliminate in work poverty and make inroads into eradicating poverty altogether.

There is an opportunity to create a totally different welfare system not just mirroring what we have with a bit of tinkering her and there.

The Scottish Government looks like it wants to seize the opportunity and already there are positive changes in how benefits will be distributed.

It must be about more than the individual benefits. It must be tied up with jobs and training opportunities for people so that lifelong dependence on the benefits system is a thing of the past and the alternative to a life on the dole is achievable for all

And for those who genuinely need it benefits must be paid where they are due and be sufficient enough that no-one needs to go to a foodbank.

Otherwise it is all words.

Patrick Harvie has kissed goodbye to his invite to the Royal Wedding, I fear.

I think the Green MSP had his head in the sick bucket when he saw the motion from Tory Alexander Stewart congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge or the Earl and Countess of Strathearn as they are titled in Scotland on the birth of baby number three.

He said we need to ‘stop fetishising privilege and fawning over those who enjoy it’.

I imagine Harry and Meg checking their royal twitter as they sat on the sofa with a big A4 pad drawing up their final list of guests.

Harry worrying about his embarrassing uncles... and aunties, and cousins and second cousins and their children.

While Meghan was seeking assurances that his old army mates wouldn’t hit on her telly pals.

They may have spotted Mr Harvie on the list scribbled down by Harry’s dad as a like minded environmental pal.

But then then when Harry saw Patrick dissing his big bro he said ‘sorry Dad it’s a no to the Green’.

Anyway there was no lentil or watermelon on the menu anyway.

So Patrick you’ll just have to join the rest of the fawning fetishisers, curl up on the sofa, kick of your sandals and watch it on telly.