A fond farewell

Published 23 Mar 2010 15:25

As the current Parliament draws to a close with a general election approaching, so too does my time as MP for West Dunbartonshire.

Having reached retirement age, it is natural to look back over the past years and reflect on what has changed.

When I was elected 23 years ago, I kept up with my correspondence using a typewriter instead of a computer, and mobile phones were the size of a brick.

But during this time I have seen bigger changes in the constituency I have been privileged to represent.

A bright spot on the horizon for West Dunbartonshire is the regeneration that has taken place in recent years.

I have had the privilege of chairing Clydebank Re-built and Strathleven Regeneration Company, which are both helping to create a promising future for our area.

We have seen the old John Brown's shipyard rise like a phoenix from the ashes to provide new opportunities, such as the new Clydebank College building.

As well as this, an independent report estimates that Strathleven's Lomondgate development, on the site of the former Diageo bottling plant, will create more than 2,000 jobs and add nearly £450m to the local economy by 2019.

We are fortunate to be living in an area of extraordinary natural beauty.

With Loch Lomond on our doorstep it is no wonder we are one of the foremost tourist destinations in UK.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is Scotland's first and largest National Park, founded after the campaign that I spearheaded in 2002.

It has wonderful scenery all season round, with the snow on the Ben providing an impressive backdrop to the landscape at this time of the year.

To the east, the Titan Crane has dominated the Clyde ever since it became a world-renowned centre for shipbuilding.

Today, the Titan attracts visitors from all over the world.

Above all, it is thanks to the dedicated and hardworking people of West Dunbartonshire, that we have a great deal to be proud of in the area.

The schools and volunteer groups that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years are the backbone of the community.

I would like to sign off my final column by thanking you for giving me the privilege of representing you in the House of Commons.

I am proud to serve the area that is my home, and one in which I have been made welcome in every corner.

A number of candidates have stepped forward to fight the West Dunbartonshire constituency in the coming election.

The Labour Party has chosen Gemma Doyle, a talented young person born and bred in the area, to stand.

Gemma is dedicated and capable and is certain to work tirelessly to serve the area that she knows well.

Whoever wins, I wish my successor well and it is with very fond memories that I now say thank you and goodbye.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 23 Mar 10

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