Elaine Murray

Photo:

Favourite Thing: My favourite thing about Dumfries and Galloway is the people, followed by the landscape

Me and my council work

I am the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dumfries constituency.

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.

My Typical Day

There’s no such thing as a typical day!

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.

What I'd do as "Youth Champion"

Make sure young people’s voices are heard!

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?

My Interview

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Fun, intelligent, hardworking

Who is your favourite singer or band?

Duffy

What is the most fun thing you've done?

Recently – the Waterfall Adventure at Puerta Plata in the Domincan republic

If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

1. For my family and friends to be healthy and happy 2. to be thinner and fitter 3. to own a dog again

What did you want to be after you left school?

a scientist

Were you ever in trouble in at school?

Frequently – I was a mischievous kid

What's the best thing you've done as a councillor?

Helping my constituents and fighting for their interests

Tell us a joke.

A man bought an old lamp in an antique shop and cleaned it when he got home. A genie appeared and offered to grant him 3 wishes. “I want to a be a millionaire” said the man, and £1m appeared in his bank account. “I want a fast car” he said – and a Ferrari appeared outside his house. “I want to be irresistable to women” he said for his final wish – and instantly was transformed into a box of chocolates.

My CV

Councillor for:

Over 11 years

Party:

Scottish Labour

Council job:

Shadow Minister for Environment, member of Rural Affairs and Environment Committee

Profession:

Being an MSP is a full time job. I used to be a research scientists, a lecturer for the Open University, as assistant to a Member of the European Parliament and a councillor

My profile link:
https://dumgal.bigvote.org.uk/profile/elainemurray/