Meet the scientists!

I have been the MSP for Dumfries since 1999. The constituency consists of the town of Dumfries, Annandale and Eskdale and a small part of Mid and Upper Nithsdale. The Scottish Parliament is responsible for passing legisaltion on “devolved” matters. These include Health, Education, Environment, Justice, Economy, Culture and Sport, Rural Affairs, Local Government, Transport and Climate Change. I also take up issues on behalf of individual constituents and run an office at 5 Friars Vennel, Dumfries.

When I am in Parliament I attend Committee meetings (Wednesday mornings), Laboru Group meetings (Tuesday afternoon), Cross Party Groups and briefing meetings – which can be any time and meeting with groups who are interested in the environment. Parliament sits on Wednesday afternoons and all day on Thursday – I often make speeches in Parliament and ask questions of Ministers and the First Minister. When I am in the constituency I meet with constituents, visit schools and workplaces, meet with representatives of local organisations and hold advice surgeries. I also have lots of fun things to do such as attending galas and common ridings and being a guest at events.

Young people should be able to influence the services they receive (or don’t receive!). I would hold advice surgeries especially for young people to hear their views directly, and would attend meetings of school councils and youth groups. I’d also like to work more closesly with the region’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. I’d also make sure that the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government Ministers heard the views and ideas of local young people.

Having considered this a bit more after taking part I wonder whether an online surgery / web based access to teh young person’s champion might be a good way of keeping in touch?