Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP

When Gordon Brown became Prime Minister he set new priorities for the Government.  One of them was to listen.  And to encourage people to engage with issues that concern them locally or nationally.  From talking to people throughout the country we know that some of the challenges faced now compared to ten years ago are very different, unprecedented and pressing – from the dangers of terrorism to the threat to our planet from climate change. 

Ten years ago people spoke to me about the problems of getting a job and a decent wage.  In the last five years, housing has become a much more important issue.

And having talked to people about the big challenges we face, we need now to consult, involve and listen to views on overcoming them. 

Recently the Prime Minister paid tribute to volunteers in our communities.   They may be driven by a concern like the environment or just want to get things done locally.  Here in Oxgangs and Firrhill, I see the work done by local people and how communities benefit from their dedication and commitment.  Volunteers help to run many projects and clubs for youths, carers and the elderly at Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre and Pentlands Community Centre.  The Centres are also a focus for community groups and organisations – brownies, scouts, AC Oxgangs Football Club and more.  Indeed the successful production of this community newspaper needs volunteers!

And more people are taking action to bring about change – 250,000 marched through Edinburgh to Make Poverty History and last month parents and pupils protested outside the City Chambers over the new council’s ill thought out plans to close 22 schools across Edinburgh.

I hope people as individuals, parents, neighbours and active citizens use their drive and enthusiasm to debate challenges like climate change, terrorism, housing and crime to bring about the changes they want to see in our country – in the way they’ve brought about the changes they wanted to see in their local communities.