The Commons Touch

Published 24 Nov 2011 09:30

by Gemma Doyle MP

LAST weekend we marked Remembrance Sunday and I laid wreaths at services throughout West Dunbartonshire.

This year it was particularly poignant for me as I had just returned from a visit to the Falkland Islands where I visited battlefield memorials to some of our brave servicemen who fell there in the service of their country, some of them only 17-years-old.

There have been stories recently about some well known high street names banning staff from wearing poppies.

We wear a poppy simply to remember the fallen, not to make any political statement about conflicts.

Our servicemen and women carry out their duties regardless of their personal views, and in wearing the poppy, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

YOUTH Unemployment has doubled in Scotland on the SNPs watch.

Our young people are falling victim to cuts by the Tories at Westminster and inaction by the SNP at Holyrood. We need action to jumpstart the economy, it's not going to happen by itself.

Labour's plan to get Scotland's economy moving again is a national jobs plan for young people, reverse the Tories VAT increase, investment in infrastructure projects, a tax break for small businesses who take on new staff and a five per cent VAT cut for home improvements.

It's no good Government at Westminster or Holyrood shrugging their shoulders, our young people can't wait any longer.

I WAS disappointed that the Chancellor this week announced that the Government are selling Northern Rock to Virgin Money for £750million.

As a Co-operative Party MP, I disagree with this decision and believe that Northern Rock should have been re-mutualised.

The decision by the Tories and Liberal Democrats to sell off Northern Rock cheaply without considering a mutual option, exposes that their talk of commitment to co-operatives and mutuals is not genuine.

I will continue to push for a fairer financial sector through credit unions and mutual solutions.

In Parliament, I will support the Financial Inclusion Bill to make sure that the banks face up to their community obligations.

If you're not already a member of a credit union why not think about joining?

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 24 Nov 11

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