Irene Oldfather
- Name:
- Irene Oldfather
- Party:
- Scottish Labour Party
- Constituency:
- Cunninghame South
- Election result May 2003:
- 11165 votes (49.04%), first of five candidates
- Election literature available in Aspect:
-
- Election policy statement:
- Pensioner Pat Gray says
I'm voting for Irene Oldfather because she is willing to speak out on behalf of older people and work with local communities. I approached her a year ago to assist us to obtain a pedestrian crossing. She lobbied the Minister on our behalf, and our campaign was successful. She continues to work with us to push for more local buses.
Student Ross Muir says
I'm voting for Irene Oldfather because she stands up for young people's interests. She was instrumental in bringing the James Watt College to Kilwinning. That means that local people now have opportunities that were not previously available. She also voted to abolish tuition fees, helping more people to continue their education.
The Brown Family say
We're voting for Irene Oldfather because she gets things done. She is always available in the local constituency and you feel that she really listens. We met her for the first time when we attended her surgery as a last resort. Within weeks, our young son had his new specialist glasses. He was delighted and so are we.
Employer Jack Singh says
I'm voting for Irene Oldfather because I've seen first hand the work that she does. Despite her busy parliamentary schedule, she always finds the time to raise money for local charities. Last year she worked with me to organise a fund raising evening for the local hospice and Irvine Cancer Care, showing her commitment to our community.
Working with my colleague Brian Donohoe has ensured a strong Labour presence on local community groups. This has meant that Labour locally is committed to delivering:
- a new Community Hospital in Irvine;
- CCTV in Kilwinning, Irvine and Stevenston;
- the Three Towns Bypass & upgrading the A77;
- free bus travel for 220,000 local pensioners
Much has been achieved but there is more still to be done. Top of our agenda must be to continue the fight against unemployment in this area, working with our local colleges to improve our skills base, to assist us to compete for good quality jobs. Together we can make Cunninghame South a vibrant and dynamic place to live and work.
Investing in Health
Dignity in old age and healthier lifestyles for all have been key guiding principles for Labour in the Scottish Parliament. That is why we have delivered free personal care for the elderly and free fruit for our youngsters in school. Healthcare deisgned to meet the needs of local people will be the focus of the proposed Community Hospital.
Building Better Communities
Scottish Labour is committed to finding new approaches to tackle the problems of our communities. In addition to resources invested in CCTV, £6.75 million has been earmarked to improve our neediest areas. A new police station (left) opening soon, will provide a valuable resource for police and local people to work together.
Prioritising Education
Investment in education is an investment in our future. That is why Labour is committed to making every school a centre of excellence by investing in teachers, improving school buildings and reducing class sizes in early secondary. Labour locally has already invested £2.4m to provide a state of the art primary school at Lawthorn.
Improving Transport Links
Scottish Labour's strategy to encourage more people to use public transport has been backed by the £45 million free concessionary bus travel scheme. Increasing the frequency of trains on the Ayr/Glasgow line, the proposed Three Towns bypass and the upgrading of the A77 will further improve transport links for local people.
Irene Oldfather your Labour candidate for Cunninghame South, working for the people of Cunninghame South.
Dear Voter
It has been a privilege to serve the people of this area, as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Cunninghame South. When the Parliament was set up, I said that I wanted it to make a difference to the lives of the ordinary people that I represent.
That is why I am pleased to have supported Labour's achievements in the Scottish Parliament over the last lour years. Free concessionary bus travel for our old folks, abolition of tuition fees for our young people, a nursery place for every 3 and 4 year old and free personal care for the elderly, are just a few of the achievements that Labour has delivered.
Representing the interests of my constituents is my first priority. To that end, I have weekly surgeries and a fully staffed office in the constituency, open five days a week, to ensure that local people have the advice and support that they need from their MSP.
As somone who lives within the constituency, I believe that I have a proven track record within the local community, first hand knowledge of local issues and a committment to the people of Cunninghame South.
On May 1st, I am asking for your support to continue the work, which we in the Labour party have already started.
Yours faithfully
Irene Oldfather
- Personal details used in election:
- Brought up in Irvine and educated at Irvine Royal Academy and Strathclyde University, Irene lives locally with her husband and two children. As Convenor of the Scottish Parliament's European Committee and a Scottish Member of the European Committee of the Regions, along with First Minister Jack McConnell, Irene has argued for a strong regional policy which will ensure that Scotland does not lose out on vital EU funds after Europe enlarges. However, representing the people of Cunninghame South and standing up for the issues affecting the local area are Irene's top priorities.
- Further information:
-
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/irene_oldfather/