Pauline McNeill MSP
On your side in the City-Centre and the West End
my regular blog from
Dear Constituent
Welcome to my website and the regular update on my work.
The main issue at First Minister’s Question Time was the SNP’s plans for a Scottish Futures Trust (SFT). As Iain Gray pointed out, this time last year, as the Scottish Parliament broke for recess, the First Minister sneaked out a consultation on the Scottish Futures Trust. One year on, the Finance Committee report into SFT was damming, while of the 29 projects in the Scottish Government’s long-term transport strategy, not a single one of them will be built using the Scottish Futures Trust. The construction industry says that there are more than 100,000 jobs at risk because of the debacle with SFT, yet this SNP government still plays politics with Scotland’s infrastructure of schools, hospitals and housing. Moreover, as well as the Futures Trust being dead, the First Minister has plans for a Local Income Tax that no-one wants while local authorities wish to renegotiate his ‘historic’ concordat. As Scotland faces the challenges of 2009, the First Minister looks more and more like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
This week I had the opportunity to open the Member’s Business Debate on my motion 'Dignity for Palestinians'. Only last week, the Scottish Parliament marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, people in Gaza don’t have access to things like healthcare and education as well as having to live with food shortages, lengthy power cuts and no cooking gas, a situation described by the United Nations as the ‘worst ever’. It is only the second time that there has been a debate on Palestine in the Scottish Parliament and I was pleased by the standard of the debate that took place. The Parliament's Holyrood Highlights programme also interviewed me on the issue.
I also attended the launch of Show Racism the Red Card’s new Educational Resource DVD, Islamophobia at the Scottish Parliament. The film features top footballers such as Thierry Henry, Ryan Giggs and Didier Drogba and young people speaking about their experiences and the dangers of this form of racism.
In Glasgow Kelvin, I had the pleasure of visiting Broomhill Primary School to present the prize for the winning design of my Christmas card this year. The card was designed by Susie Cummings of Primary 5 and Susie’s design was picked from hundreds of entries by Primary 5 pupils across the Glasgow Kelvin constituency. The theme was “O Little town of Bethlehem” and all entries are currently on display at the Constituency Office.
Pauline with Christmas Card design winner Susie Cummings
The Scottish Parliament is now in recess over the Christmas and New Year Break. The Glasgow Kelvin Constituency Office will be closed from lunchtime on Friday the 19th of December until Monday, January the 5th.
On behalf of all the Kelvin team, I send you all my best wishes for a safe and peaceful holiday and a happy 2009.
Full Details on Christmas and New Year Recess
Thanks for stopping by.
Pauline McNeill MSP
for Glasgow Kelvin
Updated 19 December 2008
NHS@60 Anniversary Survey
and Local Health Service Heroes
On 5 July 2008 we marked sixty years since the launch of our National Health Service by the then Labour Minister for Health, Nye Bevan.
Since 1948 the NHS has consistently delivered vital, lifesaving treatment and care, free to all at the point of need. However, the NHS is not just the legacy of our past, it is also about creating a better future. The occasion of the 60th Anniversary provides an unique opportunity to recognise our local NHS heroes and help in the development of the type of health service we wish to hand on to future generations.
I have therefore produced a special NHS Anniversary survey and I would also like to hear about our local NHS heroes. If you know of someone who should be congratulated for the hard work that they do, often beyond the call of duty, please tell me about them and let’s make sure that their service is recognised.
I am committed to safeguarding and building upon Bevan’s legacy in our National Health Service and will make representations based on my survey’s findings to Scottish Government and Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, ensuring that those currently responsible for your NHS are fully aware of your priorities.
Scotland to Gaza Convoy Appeal
I have also been busy with my plans for a Scottish medical aid convoy to the Gaza Strip and have secured the support of Edinburgh Direct Aid and many offers of assistance from local hospitals and others. A successful Fundraising Gig was held in G2 in Glasgow in November.
Click here for more information.
Please contact me for further information.
World Aids Day
My colleague Marlyn Glen led a debate to mark
World AIDS Day which is on 1st December 2008
At the Terrence Higgins Trust stall at the Scottish Parliament with the Trust's Catherine Murphy