Once again, I've been astonished by how the country has responded to the ongoing bad weather. Earlier in the year, the country came to a standstill because of the snow! Have we learned any lessons from then? Have we hell!!!
When the bad weather hits the affects are widespread, schools close, motorways seize to a halt, thousands are off work, there is a massive economic loss, to list a few. I ask,why? As a country that seems to be obsessed with the weather, we knew this was coming! For days before the bad weather arrived we received warning after warning - "wrap up warm," "turn up your heating," "we're in for some bad weather." What plans were being put in place when all this was going on, by the Scottish Government and Local Authorities? Well by the looks of it,none!
Of course I'm not blaming the Scottish Government for this weather, but I cannot understand why contingency plans aren't in place. Last night we were told on the news that Scottish Government Ministers were in an emergency meeting. A bit late if you ask me!
Countries across the world deal with this sort of weather all the time yet we never see such chaos. Of course they are used to it so it isn't an issue,but I think we could learn a few lessons here. Admittedly this weather isn't frequent but the fact remains that it does happen so lets do something about it.
Let's never again have people spending eight or nine hours in their cars on a journey that should take 20 minutes. And when our snow ploughs are snowed in, serious questions have to be asked!
Another area that really concerns me is the emergency services. Last night we heard how the army was doing the job of the ambulance service in North Lanarkshire. Seriously ill people waiting two/three hours for an ambulance is totally unacceptable. Thankfully the army were able to help but they shouldn't have to. It's not their job. Here's a suggestion, why doesn't the Government invest in 4x4 ambulance vehicles for such situations?
And if you needed another reason as to why this cannot happen again, here's one!
Experts are warning the big freeze could be costing the country up to £70 million a day and could plunge the ailing economy ever-closer to the dreaded double-dip recession. So all of the necessary cuts that our Govt is making, and the pain that we're all going to share in could be for nothing if the country continues to allow the snow to rule!
Lets avoid unneccessary deaths, suffering and most importantly more financial hardship. We need to get on top of this weather and ensure that we have plans in place if and when, we should need them!
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
It's been a while
I realise it's been ages since I've taken the time to sit down and blog! Rather than simply admitting to just not getting round to it, I'll say that I've been extremely busy and haven't had the chance. In fact, that's not far from the truth. I was shocked to see that the last time I blogged was back in July, four months later and here I am. Without wanting to bore you to death, I'll quickly summarise the last four months and make a promise to regularly blog from now on (first new years resolution!!)
Sadly back in August, the Scottish Conservative Party lost a fantastic and truly inspirational character. Randle Wilson MBE was the local Association Chairman and a life long Conservative activist. Having only met Randle a handful of times, he really made an impression on me. He will be terribly missed by his family, the party and the wider community that he so selflessly served.
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) has also seen big change in the last few months. Back in August, former Scottish Conservative candidate Hamira Khan was appointed as the new Chief Officer of the organisation. Having known Hamira before her appointment, I knew that she'd be a fantastic asset to the SYP.
Of course being a Member of the Scottish Tories brings its own challenges. Whether it be defending party policy to local people or delivering leaflets across the city, I've done it! Leafleting is a great opportunity to meet with other party members and enthusiasts. We've been in most of the Glasgow Scottish Parliamentary constituencies and will have delivered leaflets in them all before Christmas.
In between all that, I've been working hard organising my trip to Malawi that will now take place in the summer of 2011. We're working hard to secure funding and busy planning the trip with our Malawian counterparts.
At the end of october, the SYP debated in the Scottish Parliament. An issue that I an very interested in, and firmly support is the implementation of a National Citizen's Service. A policy of the Conservative Party, we need to convince the Scottish Government that such a service would be a of great benefit to the young people of Scotland. Unfortunately, the SYP overwhelmingly voted against the idea. Not to worry, I shall continue to campaign for it's implementation and hopefully I'll be able to raise the issue again with SYP.
I'm conscious that I've already rabbled on far to much so to give you an idea of what else I've been doing I'll put them in to a list ; creating my own newsletter for the constituency, attending a Children in Need debate at the BBC, attending a training weekend in Birmingham, attending the SCCYP's consultation event in the City Chambers and hosting Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie MSP in the constituency to mention just a few!
So there you have it, a quick update about the work that I've been doing as a Member of the Scottish Conservatives, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and a UK Young Ambassador!
Sadly back in August, the Scottish Conservative Party lost a fantastic and truly inspirational character. Randle Wilson MBE was the local Association Chairman and a life long Conservative activist. Having only met Randle a handful of times, he really made an impression on me. He will be terribly missed by his family, the party and the wider community that he so selflessly served.
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) has also seen big change in the last few months. Back in August, former Scottish Conservative candidate Hamira Khan was appointed as the new Chief Officer of the organisation. Having known Hamira before her appointment, I knew that she'd be a fantastic asset to the SYP.
Of course being a Member of the Scottish Tories brings its own challenges. Whether it be defending party policy to local people or delivering leaflets across the city, I've done it! Leafleting is a great opportunity to meet with other party members and enthusiasts. We've been in most of the Glasgow Scottish Parliamentary constituencies and will have delivered leaflets in them all before Christmas.
In between all that, I've been working hard organising my trip to Malawi that will now take place in the summer of 2011. We're working hard to secure funding and busy planning the trip with our Malawian counterparts.
At the end of october, the SYP debated in the Scottish Parliament. An issue that I an very interested in, and firmly support is the implementation of a National Citizen's Service. A policy of the Conservative Party, we need to convince the Scottish Government that such a service would be a of great benefit to the young people of Scotland. Unfortunately, the SYP overwhelmingly voted against the idea. Not to worry, I shall continue to campaign for it's implementation and hopefully I'll be able to raise the issue again with SYP.
I'm conscious that I've already rabbled on far to much so to give you an idea of what else I've been doing I'll put them in to a list ; creating my own newsletter for the constituency, attending a Children in Need debate at the BBC, attending a training weekend in Birmingham, attending the SCCYP's consultation event in the City Chambers and hosting Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie MSP in the constituency to mention just a few!
So there you have it, a quick update about the work that I've been doing as a Member of the Scottish Conservatives, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament and a UK Young Ambassador!
Monday, 9 August 2010
Visit to the Department for Education
On Friday 30th August, along with the other UK Young Ambassadors I visited the Dept for Education in London. We met with Andrew McCulley, a Senior Civil Servant in the Department. He gave us an introduction to the work that they do and how things have changed under a new Secretary of State, Michael Gove, and of course Lib Dem ministers. He spoke about how they try to find common ground on many issues, and are very successful in doing so. The DfE have been asked to plan for a 10% departmental budget cut. The Dept is very keen to "de-centralise" control, following ten years of a Labour government doing the exact opposite.
Following Andrew's introduction, the UKYAs presented on the various conferences and events that they'd attended around the world. Myself, Ben and Jess also spoke about the World Youth Congress, which we were travelling to the following morning. The reps from the DfE were very impressed and clearly very interested in the work that we do. Indeed, we agreed that there should be a stronger and closer relationship between the UKYA programme and the DfE.
We then heard from Fiona Coughlan, Education,Youth,Culture,Audiovisual and Sports Attaché at the EU. She explained how the EU works and the different institutions that exist in Europe. However, she primarily spoke about her own role and how she got involved with the FCO and the Civil Service. Fiona suggested that we visit her in Brussels, in order to truly understand the work that she does so watch this space....
We briefly heard about the Fast Stream programme. It is a fast track into the UK Civil Service, if you're interested check out their website :http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/faststream/index.aspx
After the formal discussions, we had the chance to have an informal chat with the different reps from various departments and organisations that had come along.
It was a very insightful visit and one which we really enjoyed.
Thanks DfE!
Following Andrew's introduction, the UKYAs presented on the various conferences and events that they'd attended around the world. Myself, Ben and Jess also spoke about the World Youth Congress, which we were travelling to the following morning. The reps from the DfE were very impressed and clearly very interested in the work that we do. Indeed, we agreed that there should be a stronger and closer relationship between the UKYA programme and the DfE.
We then heard from Fiona Coughlan, Education,Youth,Culture,Audiovisual and Sports Attaché at the EU. She explained how the EU works and the different institutions that exist in Europe. However, she primarily spoke about her own role and how she got involved with the FCO and the Civil Service. Fiona suggested that we visit her in Brussels, in order to truly understand the work that she does so watch this space....
We briefly heard about the Fast Stream programme. It is a fast track into the UK Civil Service, if you're interested check out their website :http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/faststream/index.aspx
After the formal discussions, we had the chance to have an informal chat with the different reps from various departments and organisations that had come along.
It was a very insightful visit and one which we really enjoyed.
Thanks DfE!
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
UKYA resi in London/ World Youth Congress in Istanbul
Well tomorrow I'm flying down to London for a UK Young Ambassador's training residential. We have a very packed agenda which will include a visit to the Department for Education in Whitehall. I'll be in London until Saturday morning when I fly out to Istanbul for the 5th World Youth Congress.
I'll be blogging all the time I'm away so check back for regular updates.
I'll be blogging all the time I'm away so check back for regular updates.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Visit to Milton Fusion
In my role as an MSYP, tonight I visted Milton Fusion. A youth club in the North of the City, set up by Glasgow Life to give the local young people something to do. Milton is a very deprived area and it was great to see the great spirit of the young people that live there. They're switched on and know exactly what they want from life.
I think too often, these young people have been written off. No more! I was so pleased to see such determination and listening to the stories of the young people was fantastic.
The minute I mentioned I was from the youth parliament, I was instantly hit with "I hate politics, I know nothing about it." This of course was untrue. The minute I mentioned David Cameron so many of them replied, "I hate the tories," or used some very colourful language to describe Mrs Thatcher! Of course I couldn't disagree with them more, it was heartening to see that they do know about politics and although they may be misguided or perhaps, misinformed, they still have an opinion!
They have asked me to look into using another venue for their club and I will be contacting Glasgow City Council to see if it's possible. I really enjoyed myself tonight, it's nice when I'm doing my SYP work to see "real people" now and again!
I think too often, these young people have been written off. No more! I was so pleased to see such determination and listening to the stories of the young people was fantastic.
The minute I mentioned I was from the youth parliament, I was instantly hit with "I hate politics, I know nothing about it." This of course was untrue. The minute I mentioned David Cameron so many of them replied, "I hate the tories," or used some very colourful language to describe Mrs Thatcher! Of course I couldn't disagree with them more, it was heartening to see that they do know about politics and although they may be misguided or perhaps, misinformed, they still have an opinion!
They have asked me to look into using another venue for their club and I will be contacting Glasgow City Council to see if it's possible. I really enjoyed myself tonight, it's nice when I'm doing my SYP work to see "real people" now and again!
Monday, 19 July 2010
Our Big Society Agenda
Today the Prime Minister launched our Big Society Agenda in Liverpool.He set out the government's plans to end Labour's top-down, controlling approach and give people the tools to improve their own lives. For 13 years, we've had Labour and Government controlling everything from Whitehall. Well no more! Finally, we're being given the opportunity to control our own lives. Labour surely couldnt have thought that Whitehall pen pushers know more about our communities than the people that actually live and work in them. Anyway, Labour aren't exactly well know for their excellent decisions... one word, defecit! Enough said I think?
The Conservative Party are showing that although Government is essential, the real experts are local people. They are showing that they trust the hard working people across the United Kingdom, unlike the previous Labour government. Labour should be ashamed of how they spoon fed people constantly and didn't allow us to make the important decisions that affect our every day lives. Of course there are a lot more things that the Labour party should be ashamed of, but thats for another post!
The Prime Minister has outlined three key strands for the Big Society agenda:
Social Action - the government will foster and support a new culture of voluntarism and philanthropy
Public service reform - getting rid of the centralised bureaucracy and in its place giving professionals much more freedom, opening up public services to new providers like charities, social enterprises and private companies so we get more innovation, diversity and responsiveness to public need
Community empowerment - creating communities with neighbourhoods who are in charge of their own destiny, who feel if they club together and get involved they can shape the world around them.
It makes you wonder why on earth we didnt have these before.... I guess Brown and his cronies are the only ones who know the answer to that and if you're expecting one from them, I'd guess you'll have a long wait!
The Conservative Party are showing that although Government is essential, the real experts are local people. They are showing that they trust the hard working people across the United Kingdom, unlike the previous Labour government. Labour should be ashamed of how they spoon fed people constantly and didn't allow us to make the important decisions that affect our every day lives. Of course there are a lot more things that the Labour party should be ashamed of, but thats for another post!
The Prime Minister has outlined three key strands for the Big Society agenda:
Social Action - the government will foster and support a new culture of voluntarism and philanthropy
Public service reform - getting rid of the centralised bureaucracy and in its place giving professionals much more freedom, opening up public services to new providers like charities, social enterprises and private companies so we get more innovation, diversity and responsiveness to public need
Community empowerment - creating communities with neighbourhoods who are in charge of their own destiny, who feel if they club together and get involved they can shape the world around them.
It makes you wonder why on earth we didnt have these before.... I guess Brown and his cronies are the only ones who know the answer to that and if you're expecting one from them, I'd guess you'll have a long wait!
Vigil for Florence and Precious Mhango
Tonight I was in Glasgow City Centre at a vigil for Florence and Precious Mhango. The family, originally from Malawi, have lived in the UK for the last 7 years. It was a very emotional event with some fantastic speeches from friends of the Mhangos. We heard how the UK Border Agency (UKBA) have intimidated a wheelchair dependant friend of Florence and Precious. All I can say is, shame on UKBA.
As a Conservative, of course I believe in strict border controls and think that Labour's almost, open door policy has been terrible for this country. However, I do believe that in this particular case, an exception should be made. I think the UKBA should have a certain time scale in which they deal with each case. Although I'm sure such a scale does exist, it clearly hasn't been implemented in the case of the Mhangos. They have lived in the United Kingdom for the last 7 years, not knowing whether they would be allowed to stay in the UK or not.This in my opinion is too long. The UKBA have a responsibility to put people out of the suspense of not knowing whether they will be allowed to remain in the UK, or if they'll be returned to their country of origin.
I will be writing to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to express my concerns surrounding this case. If the people of Glasgow have anything to do with it, the Mhangos wouldn't be going anywhere!
As a Conservative, of course I believe in strict border controls and think that Labour's almost, open door policy has been terrible for this country. However, I do believe that in this particular case, an exception should be made. I think the UKBA should have a certain time scale in which they deal with each case. Although I'm sure such a scale does exist, it clearly hasn't been implemented in the case of the Mhangos. They have lived in the United Kingdom for the last 7 years, not knowing whether they would be allowed to stay in the UK or not.This in my opinion is too long. The UKBA have a responsibility to put people out of the suspense of not knowing whether they will be allowed to remain in the UK, or if they'll be returned to their country of origin.
I will be writing to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to express my concerns surrounding this case. If the people of Glasgow have anything to do with it, the Mhangos wouldn't be going anywhere!
About Me
My name is Keenan Alexander and I live in Glasgow.
In May 2009, I was elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament for Glasgow Springburn. As an MSYP, I have a position on the Glasgow MSYP group, of which I was elected as Treasurer and latterly Vice Chairperson. I was elected as the Deputy Convener of the Social Justice Committee (09/10) and resigned from the post at the SYP AGM in June 2010 in order to stand as a candidate in the External Affairs Deputy Convenership election. I'm pleased to say that I was successful and will remain in the post until 2011. I have also been appointed the Chairperson of the Glasgow - Malawi exchange programme. In March 10, I was successful in my application to become one of Scotland's three, UK Young Ambassadors. I'm very excited about being involved with this project and will remain in post until April 2011
Outside the Youth Parliament, I'm an active member of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Over the last year, I have worked closely with PPCs and attended various events. The Scottish Conservative Party really is changing, we're more inclusive, diverse and accepting party. I have really enjoyed the experience of campaigning in the General Election for Conservative candidates in Glasgow and look forward to the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year.
In May 2009, I was elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament for Glasgow Springburn. As an MSYP, I have a position on the Glasgow MSYP group, of which I was elected as Treasurer and latterly Vice Chairperson. I was elected as the Deputy Convener of the Social Justice Committee (09/10) and resigned from the post at the SYP AGM in June 2010 in order to stand as a candidate in the External Affairs Deputy Convenership election. I'm pleased to say that I was successful and will remain in the post until 2011. I have also been appointed the Chairperson of the Glasgow - Malawi exchange programme. In March 10, I was successful in my application to become one of Scotland's three, UK Young Ambassadors. I'm very excited about being involved with this project and will remain in post until April 2011
Outside the Youth Parliament, I'm an active member of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Over the last year, I have worked closely with PPCs and attended various events. The Scottish Conservative Party really is changing, we're more inclusive, diverse and accepting party. I have really enjoyed the experience of campaigning in the General Election for Conservative candidates in Glasgow and look forward to the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year.
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