Fair share

April 5th, 2010

Any local MSP worth his salt will play his part in fighting for his fair share of government funding for the community he represents.

That’s what we are elected to do and I have always tried to fight our corner when the big decisions are made .

When ministers were slow to act after 200 jobs were lost at TSC, I pressed the matter and raised questions in parliament until a meeting with the First Minister was conceded.

When Inverclyde looked likely to miss out on education funding for special needs children, I worked with colleagues in the local authority and made the case for Glenburn and Lilybank and thankfully those needs have now been acknowledged.

Now, when the Scottish Government in Edinburgh has placed a question mark on the area's future prospects in the renewable energy manufacturing industry, I have challenged that decision.

In Inverclyde, we have the facilities, skills and workforce to play our part in this emerging industry, which could bring jobs and investment to the area.

So I would have expected us to be strong contenders when the SNP Government were selecting the likely sites for their manufacturing bases.

Instead, that investment is now being predominantly earmarked for the Highlands and north east of Scotland.

I think for Inverclyde to be downgraded without any consultation or site visits is really galling and I won’t be letting this pass.

We have been relegated without kicking a ball and it is not acceptable.

While we have been successful in the past in gaining significant investment to transform our housing stock and schools, creating jobs and apprenticeships, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels.

After all, we are only asking for what is rightfully ours.