Monday, July 06, 2009
East Coast trains need change
I came down this week to London, as I normally do, by train. Once again, although the train was on time, the service let the passenger down badly. Not because of the staff, who I think do a really good job given the conditions, but because of the way that clearly staffing shortages are affecting the cleanliness of the train. On the journey I was on, for example, every toilet was either closed, or in a filthy condition - and not just by the end of the journey, but after a couple of hours. Obviously staff to clean up had just not been allocated. Not good enough - and I hope that the transfer of services to the public sector will lead to an improvement. I have certainly been pressing for this - see my statements on this on my website http://www.marklazarowicz.org.uk/
Monday, May 25, 2009
Farewell to Sheila Laing
One of the most inspiring people I've been fortunate to work with during my time as an MP has been Sheila Laing, Headteacher of Forthview Primary School. After more than 20 years there, she is finally moving, to take up a new post in East Lothian.
As well as her wonderful leadership of the school, she's been very active in supporting Burmese refugees and the cause for human rights in that country. Through her interest, first her school and now another five elsewhere in Edinburgh have got involved in finding out more about Burma and refugees from that country in Thailand.
Last week, along with Sarah Boyack MSP and Councillor David Beckett, I took part in the launch of the Burma Book and Exhibition, with art from children both here in Edinburgh and in the refugee settlements in Thailand. Try and go and see the exhibition, at Ocean Terminal. And have a look here for more information about the book and exhibition.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The expenses fiasco
I've been slow in making a comment about the expenses issue. That's for a number of reasons - partly because I've been responding to a lot of correspondence about the statement I made on my position (and for the record, having had the chance to look more closely at the files, I'm remain convinced that the claim for legal and professional fees which I made was entirely within the rules and justified - but I said that in the present climate I would pay back 50% of these fees; I have never said I would draw back from that - in spite of some media comment; and the cheque was sent off last week) - and partly because I have been wondering what is the way forward out of the current terrible mess.
The fact is that Parliament has let down the public in a big way. We can at least try and make amends whilst this Parliament is in existence - and that means massive and fundamental reforms in the expenses system. But it also means a much more fundamental change in our democratic system as well - and a first step needs to be electoral reform for a fair election system. I've always been in favour of that - but I promise I will now try and do what I can to make sure that happens sooner rather than later.
The fact is that Parliament has let down the public in a big way. We can at least try and make amends whilst this Parliament is in existence - and that means massive and fundamental reforms in the expenses system. But it also means a much more fundamental change in our democratic system as well - and a first step needs to be electoral reform for a fair election system. I've always been in favour of that - but I promise I will now try and do what I can to make sure that happens sooner rather than later.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
MP pay & allowances - action now please!
I'm glad that Gordon Brown has announced that he is pushing ahead with major reforms to the system for MP and allowances, and that he will be asking Parliament to vote on them next week. I haven't seen all the details, but they seem very similar to the ones I called for on my website a few weeks ago. Here's a link to the full proposals from the government. (I see that the Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life has warned against a 'quick fix' - I beg to disagree - the issues are really quite simple, and they do need to dealt with asap to repair the damage done not just to MPs but the whole political process). I don't think the public will want to wait too long.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Around the constituency - and remembering a leading Nationalist
Parliament is back in session this week, but I thought I would just give a brief update on some of the things I've been up to over the last few days. Friday was a busy day - I didn't have surgeries the previous week because of Easter, and I was expecting a fairly busy caseload, but in fact it wasn't much more than normal, about 15 cases in all. However, the day had been busy - starting at 8.30 am with a meeting with the press about the new plans for a Leith Museum which were announcing that evening, 9.30 am a visit organised by the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition to Six Marys Place in Stockbridge in my constituency - a very successful guest house which is run as a 'social firm'.
Thereafter I went to the service of thanksgiving in memory of Neil McCormick, who had died after a long fight with cancer. I had known Neil in a number of ways - as one of the many thousands of students who had been taught by him over the years, as someone who, although a long-standing leading member of the SNP, was nevertheless happy to work with those in other parties on issues of common concern - and as a political opponent (we had both stood - unsuccessfully! - in past general elections in Edinburgh Pentlands consituency). I had a great deal of respect for him.
Later on, I met with a group of officers from the City Council, Tie (the tram company), and the tram contractors to raise issues of concern about pedestrian safety along the tram routes - covered at more length on my website here - and then it was four hours of surgeries! And finally, the Leith museum presentation.
Saturday I took off for a family day out - and Sunday morning first thing was family as well, at one of my children's football games (but I won't say much about that as I have a megagrumpy reader of this blog who complains when I do!) - but after that a very enjoyable constituency engagement when I joined several hundred members of Edinburgh's Sikh community for their now traditional Vaisakhi celebration march through the streets of Leith to and from their Gurdwara (temple).
Finally, I used the good weather for a few hours campaigning in West Pilton along with Malcolm Chisholm and some of our Labour team. Quite a good response considering this has not been too good a couple of weeks for Labour!
Thereafter I went to the service of thanksgiving in memory of Neil McCormick, who had died after a long fight with cancer. I had known Neil in a number of ways - as one of the many thousands of students who had been taught by him over the years, as someone who, although a long-standing leading member of the SNP, was nevertheless happy to work with those in other parties on issues of common concern - and as a political opponent (we had both stood - unsuccessfully! - in past general elections in Edinburgh Pentlands consituency). I had a great deal of respect for him.
Later on, I met with a group of officers from the City Council, Tie (the tram company), and the tram contractors to raise issues of concern about pedestrian safety along the tram routes - covered at more length on my website here - and then it was four hours of surgeries! And finally, the Leith museum presentation.
Saturday I took off for a family day out - and Sunday morning first thing was family as well, at one of my children's football games (but I won't say much about that as I have a megagrumpy reader of this blog who complains when I do!) - but after that a very enjoyable constituency engagement when I joined several hundred members of Edinburgh's Sikh community for their now traditional Vaisakhi celebration march through the streets of Leith to and from their Gurdwara (temple).
Finally, I used the good weather for a few hours campaigning in West Pilton along with Malcolm Chisholm and some of our Labour team. Quite a good response considering this has not been too good a couple of weeks for Labour!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
After the G20 - and emails
As I mentioned below, I had planned to say something about the significance of the G20 meeting (and I think it was very significant). I will still do that, but I don't think it's possible to do that without first mentioning the event that has overshadowed the G20 in London, the death of Ian Tomlinson, the passer-by who was shown on a video which has gone round the world being struck by a policeman. He later died. I've backed the calls for an independent inquiry - more details on my website.
I've had a lot of emails about this, and one of those which made the most impact was from someone who themselves had 3 close relatives who are police officers. She felt that it was in the interests of the police service themselves that this incident is properly investigated - I agree - I know how much our local police officers do for our community. I also realise that policing large demonstrations isn't easy, but there can be no excuse for unprovoked violence, which the video strongly suggests was the case. And that's why we need a proper investigation, and appropriate action to follow - for the good name of the police, the public, and of course, and not least, for the family of Mr Tomlinson.
The other news over the last few days, of course, has been the emails from the sacked No 10 adviser. Like everyone else I know in the Labour Party, I am utterly shocked by what has emerged - these actions are totally reprehensible, and there's nothing that can be said to defend those responsible. The Labour Party should keep well away from those who have done this.
I've had a lot of emails about this, and one of those which made the most impact was from someone who themselves had 3 close relatives who are police officers. She felt that it was in the interests of the police service themselves that this incident is properly investigated - I agree - I know how much our local police officers do for our community. I also realise that policing large demonstrations isn't easy, but there can be no excuse for unprovoked violence, which the video strongly suggests was the case. And that's why we need a proper investigation, and appropriate action to follow - for the good name of the police, the public, and of course, and not least, for the family of Mr Tomlinson.
The other news over the last few days, of course, has been the emails from the sacked No 10 adviser. Like everyone else I know in the Labour Party, I am utterly shocked by what has emerged - these actions are totally reprehensible, and there's nothing that can be said to defend those responsible. The Labour Party should keep well away from those who have done this.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
MP allowances - and the G20
Last week, we had a family bereavement, and I've not been blogging for the last few days. Coming back to Westminster, there are two issues dominating the news - the
G20, and 'MPs expenses'. I'll be saying something about G20 later, but I thought I should say something about the issue of 'MP expenses' as clearly it does raise important issues about the way MPs behave, and how they are accountable to the public for the money we receive.
I haven't done much on the blog before on the issue of MP allowances (and it is 'allowances' of course, not expenses - like most MPs, most of the money I receive goes on the costs of running an office and paying my staff - there's a breakdown on my main website), because I spend most of my time on either constituency issues or the various policy issues in which I am interested. But given some of the recent well publicised cases, I thought I should put down my views, and also say something about my own allowances, because I know they've gone up in the year for which figures have just reported.
On the wider issue, I think there is no doubt that MPs have got to sort out the rules and make sure we have a set of rules which the public find acceptable and stop any excesses. I've been in favour for a long time of publishing details of our allowances, and I also voted to scrap the entitlement of MPs from outer London to claim a 'second home' allowance the last time we had a vote on the issue. In my website, I give details of my views on how the system should be reformed.
As far as my own allowances and expenses are concerned, the main reason why my claim for allowances went up was that one of my staff was off on sick leave for a considerable period, which was why I claimed an extra £5300 or so for staff cover. And as anyone in the constituency will know, I opened a new office at the beginning of 2008, and there were a lot of fitting out costs involved in converting what was basically a 'shell'. Overall, about 80% of the sums which the media describe as 'expenses' were spent directly on staff (I have three full-time and one part-time), office costs, and communication costs.
As far as the expenses which personally affect me, my travel claim was one of the lowest in Scotland, mainly because most of my journeys round the constituency are made by bus, bike or on foot. In keeping with my efforts to keep down my 'carbon footprint', about 70% of my journeys to and from London were made by train, and 30% by air.
My claim for a 'second home' did go up, although still some way off the maximum, because I incurred an unexpectedly high legal bill in connection with the the ground lease for my London flat (which is the one for which I reclaim the cost of mortgage interest).
I realise this won't satisfy those who think all MPs should travel to London by overnight bus and stay in hostels when we are here, but hopefully it will satisfy more reasonable enquirers!
G20, and 'MPs expenses'. I'll be saying something about G20 later, but I thought I should say something about the issue of 'MP expenses' as clearly it does raise important issues about the way MPs behave, and how they are accountable to the public for the money we receive.
I haven't done much on the blog before on the issue of MP allowances (and it is 'allowances' of course, not expenses - like most MPs, most of the money I receive goes on the costs of running an office and paying my staff - there's a breakdown on my main website), because I spend most of my time on either constituency issues or the various policy issues in which I am interested. But given some of the recent well publicised cases, I thought I should put down my views, and also say something about my own allowances, because I know they've gone up in the year for which figures have just reported.
On the wider issue, I think there is no doubt that MPs have got to sort out the rules and make sure we have a set of rules which the public find acceptable and stop any excesses. I've been in favour for a long time of publishing details of our allowances, and I also voted to scrap the entitlement of MPs from outer London to claim a 'second home' allowance the last time we had a vote on the issue. In my website, I give details of my views on how the system should be reformed.
As far as my own allowances and expenses are concerned, the main reason why my claim for allowances went up was that one of my staff was off on sick leave for a considerable period, which was why I claimed an extra £5300 or so for staff cover. And as anyone in the constituency will know, I opened a new office at the beginning of 2008, and there were a lot of fitting out costs involved in converting what was basically a 'shell'. Overall, about 80% of the sums which the media describe as 'expenses' were spent directly on staff (I have three full-time and one part-time), office costs, and communication costs.
As far as the expenses which personally affect me, my travel claim was one of the lowest in Scotland, mainly because most of my journeys round the constituency are made by bus, bike or on foot. In keeping with my efforts to keep down my 'carbon footprint', about 70% of my journeys to and from London were made by train, and 30% by air.
My claim for a 'second home' did go up, although still some way off the maximum, because I incurred an unexpectedly high legal bill in connection with the the ground lease for my London flat (which is the one for which I reclaim the cost of mortgage interest).
I realise this won't satisfy those who think all MPs should travel to London by overnight bus and stay in hostels when we are here, but hopefully it will satisfy more reasonable enquirers!
Monday, March 23, 2009
North Edinburgh's latest asset!
Amongst the gloom of most of the news pages, it's good to be able to say something positive! I was up this morning again at the new Community Football Academy opened a few months ago by local football club Spartans FC. Going along there at the weekend and seeing the hundreds of children (and some older!) playing football at what is one of the best community football facilities in Scotland restores your faith in what can be achieved if a few people with vision and leadership are determined to do something. I know that Spartans - a club, not a business - promised they would make the Academy a real asset for the community - and they have certainly done that, and I know that hundreds more young people from the local North Edinburgh community have been taking advantage of the new facilities. And in return, Spartans are now seen by more and more people in North Edinburgh as 'their' local team.
Unfortunately, my son's team didn't do so well - again! - but it didn't seem so bad, when you have a good pitch, decent changing rooms and facilities, instead of the awful pitches, uncut grass, and disgusting huts which too many youth (and older) football teams in Edinburgh have to cope with.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Edinburgh TV?
A year or so ago, Harriet Harman (in her role as 'Leader of the House of Commons') introduced the idea of having a weekly 'topical debate' - a short (90 minute) debate, without a vote at the end, but allowing members to debate issues as they came up, without having to wait until issues are no longer topical. I think it's been quite a success, and this week we had what I thought was a very interesting debate on 'Local and Regional News'. I took part, speaking mainly about the opportunities for local TV (although also referring to the difficulties facing the local press - briefly, because we were restricted to 5 minutes!). The link to the debate is here (my speech is the first one after the opening Ministerial speeches). Some MPs think the idea of local TV is a good one - others, although they didn't say so in the debate, clearly felt from what they told me afterwards that it wasn't.
As I pointed out, this means we could actually have an Edinburgh TV station - just like we have Leith FM community radio at the moment. I'd be interested in views - because a lot of important decisions about the future of TV and broadcasting are likely to be made fairly soon at Westminster.
As I pointed out, this means we could actually have an Edinburgh TV station - just like we have Leith FM community radio at the moment. I'd be interested in views - because a lot of important decisions about the future of TV and broadcasting are likely to be made fairly soon at Westminster.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Question time in the Commons
I've been spending a lot time on Parliamentary Committees and other work outside the Commons Chamber over the last few days, so I was quite keen to get into Question Time today. I was no.7 on the list for Scottish Questions, and made the point that there were many people in my constituency who worked in banks and financial services, some of whom were now losing their jobs and many more were frightened of doing so - and unlike some prominent bankers, they didn't have big bonuses or massive pensions. I am glad to say that Scotish Secretary Jim Murphy recognised this in his answer.
I tried a few minutes later to get into Prime Minister's Questions, but this time as I wasn't on the list of MPs who had been drawn from the ballot, I wasn't too surprised not to have got in. I had wanted to say something about the announcement from Gordon Brown yesterday about banning unsolicited 'credit card cheques' - it's something I've been calling for some time in my work as Chair of the All Party Group on Debt and Personal Finance, and in fact had called on the Prime Minister to do this only a few weeks ago! I won't claim all the credit! - but it's good to see issues raised like this getting a result.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Climate change - action even more urgent
As readers of my website and blog will know, tackling climate change is one of the issues in which I'm most involved at Parliament in Westminster. I know that sometimes I've heard a few whispers that I'm a little bit obsessed with the issue, but today I've taken part in four meetings which have for me underlined why it is the top issue (along, I believe, with nuclear proliferation, an issue I will try and say something about in a post shortly).
Four very different meetings, but with a common theme. First up at breakfast was a briefing at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering; they were looking at what needed to be done to adapt to climate change; and their view was that on current trends it might take 75 years or more to 'decarbonise' our society (if I understood them correctly). Sometimes looking at adaptation to climate change has been criticised as leading people to think we don't need to do as much to 'mitigate' cliamte change (i.e. try and stop it happening as far as we can), but that is a false choice, as was apparent from my next meeting that day. That was a meeting of the Environmental Audit Committee where we heard from the Tyndall Centre whose projections on climate change were some of the direst I have yet heard. They argued strongly that we still needed to aim for a maximum 2 degree rise in temperature, but should also adapt our societies to allow for a 4 degree rise as that might well be what happebns. What was scary was the fact that they felt the 4 degree rise could only be achieved with policies far more radical than anything done so far - and would probably need an economic 'contraction' on the scale of the Soviet Union's economic collpase; and even a 4 degree rise might have - almost certainly would have - catastrophic consequences.
The same themes came out at a meeting at No 10 Downing Street covering these issues which I chaired later in the day, and in a Friends of the Earth briefing for MPs later in the evening. None of these means we just give up - but it does highlight the nature of the crisis that faces us.
(But just to make clear, these weren't the only issues I was involved in today - I was also at meetings about the state of the mortgage housing market, the proposal from the Post Office union and others for a 'People's Bank' at the post office, and finally a presentation on the state of the Scottish economy. As well, of course, as the Welfare Reform Bill which is going through its final stages here in the House of Commons tonight.
Four very different meetings, but with a common theme. First up at breakfast was a briefing at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering; they were looking at what needed to be done to adapt to climate change; and their view was that on current trends it might take 75 years or more to 'decarbonise' our society (if I understood them correctly). Sometimes looking at adaptation to climate change has been criticised as leading people to think we don't need to do as much to 'mitigate' cliamte change (i.e. try and stop it happening as far as we can), but that is a false choice, as was apparent from my next meeting that day. That was a meeting of the Environmental Audit Committee where we heard from the Tyndall Centre whose projections on climate change were some of the direst I have yet heard. They argued strongly that we still needed to aim for a maximum 2 degree rise in temperature, but should also adapt our societies to allow for a 4 degree rise as that might well be what happebns. What was scary was the fact that they felt the 4 degree rise could only be achieved with policies far more radical than anything done so far - and would probably need an economic 'contraction' on the scale of the Soviet Union's economic collpase; and even a 4 degree rise might have - almost certainly would have - catastrophic consequences.
The same themes came out at a meeting at No 10 Downing Street covering these issues which I chaired later in the day, and in a Friends of the Earth briefing for MPs later in the evening. None of these means we just give up - but it does highlight the nature of the crisis that faces us.
(But just to make clear, these weren't the only issues I was involved in today - I was also at meetings about the state of the mortgage housing market, the proposal from the Post Office union and others for a 'People's Bank' at the post office, and finally a presentation on the state of the Scottish economy. As well, of course, as the Welfare Reform Bill which is going through its final stages here in the House of Commons tonight.
Keeping it local!
One of the big issues in the constituency at the moment is the plan by two of the big supermarket chains to open up new stores - Sainsburys in Stockbridge, and Tescos on Picardy Place in Broughton. These proposals have caused a lot of concern, particularly to local food shops and off-licences who rightly fear the effect of these developments if they go ahead.
There are big campaigns against these proposed new supermarkets in both Stockbridge and in Broughton Street, and I've supported these. I've written to Saisnburys to support the local community council campaign, and I'll be doing the same to Tesco in the case of the Broughton Street plans.
One of the difficulties in both these cases is that both proposed stores will be on sites which already have retail planning permission, and that may make it difficult for the Council to turn down these plans even if they want to. I still think it is worthwhile to campaign as strongly as possible on these issues, and the local community in both places has been doing a good job. You can find more details about the Stockbridge community campaign here. Please give it your support!
What this episode shows to me, however, is the need for a real strategy to support our local shopping centres (important both to protect jobs, but also now to back up the increasing concern about climate change - because using local shops, as opposed to regular trips by the car to big supermarkets is normally a good way of reducing the carbon footprint; and vibrant local shopping centres also help make local communities stronger as well).
The issues are complex, but the growing dominance of the market by a few supermarkets - one (Tesco) in particular - is in my view wrong.
Perhaps it's time for Scotland to have legislation like the 'Sustainable Communities Act' which now applies in England - and as planning is an issue where the law is devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Government, our MSPs have the chance to change the planning laws. (And of course, these examples from here in the heart of Edinburgh have their parallels in many parts of England as well).
LATEST: public meeting about Stockbridge Sainsburys, Thursday 26 March, Edinburgh Academy Senior School, Henderson Row, at 7 pm. I'm one of the speakers.
There are big campaigns against these proposed new supermarkets in both Stockbridge and in Broughton Street, and I've supported these. I've written to Saisnburys to support the local community council campaign, and I'll be doing the same to Tesco in the case of the Broughton Street plans.
One of the difficulties in both these cases is that both proposed stores will be on sites which already have retail planning permission, and that may make it difficult for the Council to turn down these plans even if they want to. I still think it is worthwhile to campaign as strongly as possible on these issues, and the local community in both places has been doing a good job. You can find more details about the Stockbridge community campaign here. Please give it your support!
What this episode shows to me, however, is the need for a real strategy to support our local shopping centres (important both to protect jobs, but also now to back up the increasing concern about climate change - because using local shops, as opposed to regular trips by the car to big supermarkets is normally a good way of reducing the carbon footprint; and vibrant local shopping centres also help make local communities stronger as well).
The issues are complex, but the growing dominance of the market by a few supermarkets - one (Tesco) in particular - is in my view wrong.
Perhaps it's time for Scotland to have legislation like the 'Sustainable Communities Act' which now applies in England - and as planning is an issue where the law is devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Government, our MSPs have the chance to change the planning laws. (And of course, these examples from here in the heart of Edinburgh have their parallels in many parts of England as well).
LATEST: public meeting about Stockbridge Sainsburys, Thursday 26 March, Edinburgh Academy Senior School, Henderson Row, at 7 pm. I'm one of the speakers.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Back from Scottish Labour conference
Like many political animals, I enjoy going to Party conferences - not so much for the formal business in the hall, as for all the political gossip ('networking' as we now call) and the social side - and when you have been in an organisation as long as I've been in the Labour Party, you meet up again with people you maybe haven't met all year, and sometimes longer. And that was true for me in Dundee this year, particularly as I wasn't able to get up to Dundee on Friday as I had some really busy MP advice surgeries, and didn't finish until well after 8 pm.
But I was able to get there first thing Saturday, and the highpoint was Iain Gray's speech. Of course, you'd expect me to say it, but I genuinely thought it was a major success. Iain needed to make his first big speech to confrence as party leader work, and this one did. Inevitably, this one had to concentrate quite a lot on Iain as a person, because as a new leader he has to get the Labour member as well as the public to know him, but for those who prepared to look, it also gave a lot of pointers to the direction he wants to see Scottish Labour go as a party. (Good atmosphere as well provided by the film introducing his speech - I see that it has annoyed some of the Nationalist bloggers because it ended with the Saltire - good! - about time we challenged the SNP claim that they speak for Scotland!)
Here's a link to another blog with more about Iain's speech and also the Youtube site with the film.
And also glad I was able to get into the debate myself to speak on the climate change issue - highlighting the way amongst other things in which the SNP Scottish Government is currently watering down the Scottish Climate Change Bill (first proposed by Labour 2 years ago before the Scottish elections), and the slow speed at which it is being taken forward. It will almost certainly not become law until 2010, two years later than the Labour Government's Climate Change Act became law.
P.S. On the issue of flags, I was at a meeting in Commercial Street in Leith this morning, and I noticed that the Scottish Government HQ was, for the first time I've seen it, flying the Saltire and the Union Jack - the SNP stopped flying the Union Jack as well after they took over the Scottish government. Is this significant?!
But I was able to get there first thing Saturday, and the highpoint was Iain Gray's speech. Of course, you'd expect me to say it, but I genuinely thought it was a major success. Iain needed to make his first big speech to confrence as party leader work, and this one did. Inevitably, this one had to concentrate quite a lot on Iain as a person, because as a new leader he has to get the Labour member as well as the public to know him, but for those who prepared to look, it also gave a lot of pointers to the direction he wants to see Scottish Labour go as a party. (Good atmosphere as well provided by the film introducing his speech - I see that it has annoyed some of the Nationalist bloggers because it ended with the Saltire - good! - about time we challenged the SNP claim that they speak for Scotland!)
Here's a link to another blog with more about Iain's speech and also the Youtube site with the film.
And also glad I was able to get into the debate myself to speak on the climate change issue - highlighting the way amongst other things in which the SNP Scottish Government is currently watering down the Scottish Climate Change Bill (first proposed by Labour 2 years ago before the Scottish elections), and the slow speed at which it is being taken forward. It will almost certainly not become law until 2010, two years later than the Labour Government's Climate Change Act became law.
P.S. On the issue of flags, I was at a meeting in Commercial Street in Leith this morning, and I noticed that the Scottish Government HQ was, for the first time I've seen it, flying the Saltire and the Union Jack - the SNP stopped flying the Union Jack as well after they took over the Scottish government. Is this significant?!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Leith saved - again!
The news came through recently that Forth Ports had decided to drop their plans to use the name ‘Edinburgh Harbour’ to market their proposed development in Leith Docks. This came as good news to the thousands who signed a petition protesting at the change, and to the local elected representatives like myself who joined in the campaign to save the name of Leith.
It’s not the first time we’ve had to fight to save the name of Leith – only a few years ago I launched a campaign to stop the name of Leith being removed from the parliamentary constituency which covers the port. We were successful then as well, and I am sure that if anyone tries to do the same in the future, we will fight that as well!
To be honest, I thought that the choice of Edinburgh Harbour was a mistake even for the marketing people at Forth Ports. The name is nothing special, and sounds like just another of the waterfront developments that have grown up in every part of the world – with not much to tell them apart. ‘Leith’, by contrast, immediately puts the development as part of a vibrant, special community.
And that’s something which business and those concerned with economic development in the current tough times should use to their advantage!
I saw a good example of that recently. A few days ago, I attended the launch of the Leith Business Exchange, designed as the name suggests to provide, amongst other things, a place for local businesses to make contact with each other. I met a lot of people with businesses they were keen to grow and develop – and for many of them, the fact that Leith had a strong sense of community was very important for them. They felt it made it easier for them to build up business contacts, get to know potential customers, and also made it an enjoyable place to do business in. So, for this reason and for so many others, let’s speak up for Leith!
It’s not the first time we’ve had to fight to save the name of Leith – only a few years ago I launched a campaign to stop the name of Leith being removed from the parliamentary constituency which covers the port. We were successful then as well, and I am sure that if anyone tries to do the same in the future, we will fight that as well!
To be honest, I thought that the choice of Edinburgh Harbour was a mistake even for the marketing people at Forth Ports. The name is nothing special, and sounds like just another of the waterfront developments that have grown up in every part of the world – with not much to tell them apart. ‘Leith’, by contrast, immediately puts the development as part of a vibrant, special community.
And that’s something which business and those concerned with economic development in the current tough times should use to their advantage!
I saw a good example of that recently. A few days ago, I attended the launch of the Leith Business Exchange, designed as the name suggests to provide, amongst other things, a place for local businesses to make contact with each other. I met a lot of people with businesses they were keen to grow and develop – and for many of them, the fact that Leith had a strong sense of community was very important for them. They felt it made it easier for them to build up business contacts, get to know potential customers, and also made it an enjoyable place to do business in. So, for this reason and for so many others, let’s speak up for Leith!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
