my regular blog from

The Scottish Parliment

 

Dear Constituent

Welcome to my website and the regular update on my work. 

All credit to the Scottish Stop the War Coalition for organising last weekend’s demonstration in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the Iraq invasion in Glasgow.  I took the opportunity to meet with the main speaker at the rally, Husam Zomlot from the Palestinian General Delegation in London, which acts in effect as a Palestinian embassy, about the ongoing situation in the occupied territories.

Pauline leading the anti-war march through Glasgow

I will be heading for Gaza in the beginning of April to promote the work of Medical Aid for Palestinians and to help raise money here in Scotland.

200 chefs appeared outside the Parliament as part of the Save Scottish Curry Campaign highlighting how immigrations laws could affect the industry – I met with a group of them and have written to our MPs asking them to take up this important issue.

My speech last week in the Chamber was on SNP plans to extend the home detention curfew scheme to long term offenders who are currently jailed.  I argued that this is a step too far without strict conditions- conditions the SNP Government were not prepared to concede – ultimately they lost the vote.

I also had the opportunity to meet the Iranian Ambassador while he was visiting Holyrood – and along with a cross party delegation of MSPs I asked about the restricted role for women in Iran and the vetting process for the elections there.

I have been continuing my dialogue about the need for support services for beggars in Glasgow working closely with the police, Glasgow Community and Safety Services and Cllr Coleman, Deputy Leader of the City, there is much to do to get this moving but I came away from the Chambers pleased that we have made a start.

I ended the week being quizzed by Primaries 6 and 7 at Anderston School and I have a list of action points to be getting on with.  I had a great time talking to the classes who all had plenty to say, particularly about their environment and things that they would like to see moved up the agenda locally.

Thanks for stopping by.

 


Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin

 

Last updated 19 March 2008

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[N.B. Parliament is now in recess until 15 April 2008]