Big Issues need a Big Conversation

George Foulkes MP, Sandra Osborne MP, Cathy Jamieson MSP, Bill Miller MEP and Douglas Alexander MP.

'Scotland's biggest conversation' is now, Sandra Osborne MP and George Foulkes MP described last Saturday's (6 March) event in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Ayr at which Cabinet Office Minister Douglas Alexander and European MP Bill Miller were the key speakers.

The event was hosted by Sandra Osborne and her Ayrshire colleagues, George Foulkes MP and Cathy Jamieson MSP and was attended by 100 local people drawn from business, the trade unions, the community and voluntary sector, young people and the churches. Called 'In Conversation in Ayr', the event was part of the 'Big Conversation' consultation initiated by the Prime Minister last October to engage with the community and listen to peoples views on the key issues.

Sandra Osborne MP said
"Saturday was about listening to the ideas and thinking of key local people so that they can be fed into the wider consultation about the challenges facing the UK. As a result, the views expressed on Saturday will help shape Labour's manifesto for the next General Election"

Workshops focused on topics such as:

Building on Economic Stability
Tackling Poverty
Security in Older Age
The International Community
Connecting Politics and People
Britain Stronger in Europe
Balancing Work and Family Life

Cathy Jamieson MSP, Deputy Leader of Labour in the Scottish Parliament and Minister for Justice commented:

"Labour is proud of its record in office and the measures we have already put in place to benefit our communities.  We know we have further to go to ensure that opportunity is shared by the many, not simply the privileged few, and where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential."

Douglas Alexander MP said, "I know of the tireless work Sandra, George, and Cathy undertake for their Ayrshire constituents.  This event has ensured those constituents' voices have been heard by Government"

Bill Miller MEP added, "The Big Conversation event in Ayr provides an excellent opportunity for an informed exchange of views and on the UK relationship with the rest of the EU and the future in an enlarged Union".

George Foulkes MP concluded "The consultation is about helping to capture the ideas and new thinking across Britain about how we tackle the challenges ahead.  These ideas will be fed into Labour's policy making groups, like the National Policy Forum, with the explicit intention of helping to shape Labour's next manifesto".

Labour wants everyone to be involved in this conversation and to contribute to a vision for Britain beyond the next General Election

You can text your concerns to 84402 (25p plus your usual text charges); or take part in the Big Conversation on line by visiting Sandra's website epolitix.com/sandra-osborne or phoning her office 01292 262906