Elaine Murray
- Name:
- Elaine Murray
- Party:
- Scottish Labour Party
- Constituency:
- Dumfries
- Election result May 2003:
- 12834 votes (39.97%), first of five candidates
- Election literature available in Aspect:
-
- Election policy statement:
- A lot done - More to do...
By Elaine Murray
In 1999 I was privileged to be elected as your first ever Member of the Scottish Parliament. Since then I've worked hard locally, helping thousands of people who have come to me with their concerns. And having a Labour led Scottish Government means I can take your problems to the very top.
A LOT DONE
Establishing the Scottish Parliament hasn't been easy and there have been disappointments - but there have been real achievements too. Nursery places for every three and four year old, free personal and nursing care, free bus travel for the elderly, new laws to seize the assets of drug dealers, the abolition of student tuition fees and record investment in our public services.
Some MSPs pretend to 'stand up' for the area by simply criticising from the sidelines, but in fact achieve nothing. I believe in being constructive.
And that means working closely with local organisations such as the Council, Enterprise Company, Tourist Board and community groups - to put the needs of our community before party political bickering. Whether it was the successful campaign to secure funding to provide for disabled access at Lockerbie Station, or the successful campaign to oppose plans for a 10-hectare dump in Ae forest I have and always will, put my local community first.
MORE TO DO
But I know that there is so much more to do. I believe my job as your MSP is just beginning and on May 1st you will be given the opportunity to let Labour build on the foundations we have laid. My top priorities are to ensure we bring more high quality jobs to the area, build on the investment we are seeing in local schools and hospitals and tackle crime, particularly drug related crime, with tougher sentences and more police on the beat. We need to shift the balance, not just by putting the victims of crime first, but also to protect ordinary decent families in their homes and on the street.
A LOT TO LOSE
Many people may believe that this election is not important and you may feel that it isn't worth voting. But the election here in Dumfries Constituency is going to be very close between Labour and the Tories. Your vote will make a real difference between having an MSP who will work hard for Dumfries Constituency, give you a voice at the heart of Scotland's Government and who will build on the start Labour has made. Or a Tory MSP who'll turn back the clock, cut spending in our schools and hospitals and weaken your voice in Parliament.
An MSP who has worked hard for the people of Dumfries Constituency
Since being elected in 1999 Elaine Murray has:
- Held over 250 advice surgeries in every part of the constituency including Dumfries, Ae Village, Beattock, Moffat, Ecclefechan. Lochmaben, Lockerbie, Canonbie, Langholm, Eskdalemuir, Annan, Eastriggs and Gretna.
- Visited hundreds of local community and voluntary groups and local businesses
- Backed a number of local campaigns such as the campaign for disabled access at Lockerbie Station and to protect Ae Forest from plans for a 10 hectare dump
- Dealt with over 10,000 letters
- And Elaine still finds time to give local people a voice at the heart of Scotland's Government in her role as Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport!
- Safer, secure streets
Police numbers in Dumfries and Galloway have risen by almost 15% to 474 since 1997 and Labour will continue to increase this number, year on year, putting more police on the beat. The police also now have new powers to seize the assets of drug dealers. But that is just the beginning. Labour will introduce tougher sentences for drug dealers who target young people, and will crack down on anti-social behaviour, street crime, vandalism and litter.
- Dignity for older people
Elaine Murray has backed Labour's new measures to help local pensioners such as free central heating installation, free personal and nursing care and free local bus travel. Labour will build on the start we've made by extending the free central heating programme to include replacing outdated systems, initially for the over 80s and we will extend free off peak bus travel to include all bus travel nationwide, allowing free journeys to any part of Scotland, from Annan to Aberdeen, Dumfries to Dundee.
- Better Schools
Elaine Murray has campaigned vigorously for an end to leaking and crumbling school buildings, including fighting for a new Primary School in Heathhall and a new Academy and Primary School in Lockerbie. Thanks to a recent £100 million cash boost from the Labour-led Scottish Government, this will soon become a reality. Labour has also delivered a nursery place for every 3 & 4 year old locally and class sizes for all 5, 6 and 7 year olds have been cut to 30 or less. Labour will build on these achievements by cutting class sizes for Maths and English to under 20 in 1st and 2nd year in secondary schools. We will introduce bursaries to allow over 16s from low income families to stay on at school and we will continue to provide the investment needed for the Crichton University Campus to flourish.
Labour Investment v Tory Cuts
Have you ever wondered why Tory MSPs locally never talk about the Conservative Party's policies? What is it they are trying to hide? Well, Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has pledged that if elected the Tories would make massive cuts in spending on local schools, hospitals and the fight against crime. He told the Daily Telegraph on 31 December that the Tories would cut spending by "20 percent across the board".
That means cuts of £115 million alone in Dumfries and Galloway! While local Tory MSPs pretend to want more spending on local services, in the Scottish Parliament they always oppose Labours' measures to invest and improve public services and now they plan to cut that investment. The Tories must be the only people who think we need fewer doctors and nurses, fewer teachers and fewer police in Dumfries Constituency. Don't let the Tories take us back with cuts to schools and hospitals.
- A modern health service
We are seeing some exciting new developments in the health service locally such as the new Maternity and Day Care Unit, the new casualty department and the soon to be built Oncology Unit at the Royal Infirmary. But Elaine knows more needs to be done. That is why Labour is committed to providing the investment needed to secure the future of all our local community hospitals including Langholm, Annan, Moffat and Lochmaben. Labour will cut waiting times for hospital appointments and ensure everybody is guaranteed an appointment with a GP, nurse or member of the local health team within 48 hours. Labour will also increase the number of doctors and nurses in the NHS - and provide the pay and conditions they deserve.
- Putting Jobs first
Unemployment in Dumfries Constituency has plummeted by almost 50% since 1997. As a member of the Chapelcross Regeneration Group. Elaine Murray is committed to fighting to bring more jobs to the area. She is at the forefront of a campaign to ensure Dumfries Constituency benefits from Labour's plans to disperse government jobs outwith the central belt. Elaine has also fought to attract investment in local roads such as the A7, A75 and A76.
As a Tourism Minister in the Scottish Government, Elaine understands the importance of the industry to Dumfries Constituency and has worked hard to promote the area. Labour will build on these achievements, by providing more apprenticeships for young people and more support for small businesses to create local jobs.
"I believe that it is vital that you have an MSP who is committed to Dumfries Consitituency.
The priorities of the people of Dumfries Constituency are my priorities. Together we have made a start, but there is a lot more to do."
Divorce is an Expensive Business
The UK stronger together, weaker apart
The SNP ignore the close links Dumfriesshire has with Cumbria. With the Tories completely powerless to stop the SNP in Scotland, only Scottish Labour can ensure the SNP's plans to divorce Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom don't succeed.
- There is a £6 billion black hole at the heart of the SNP's plans to divorce Scotland from the rest of the UK. That would mean people in Dumfries Constituency paying more taxes than people in Cumbria.
- A vote for the SNP is a vote for constitutional wrangling and less teachers, less nurses and less police.
- The first act of an SNP Government would not be to improve schools or hospitals but to set up negotiations for divorce.
- The Scottish Parliament needs time to become established and grow. The last thing it needs is upheaval and yet more change.
Only Labour can keep the Tories out-
Just look at the result the last time!
In 1999, we said only Labour could beat the Tories ... and we were right. The election in Dumfries Constituency is a clear two horse race between Labour and the Tories.
The other parties are much too far behind - and their support is falling. The only way to be certain of keeping the Tories out of Dumfries Constituency is by voting to keep Elaine Murray as your MSP. The result will be very close, so make sure you use your vote. And make sure you use your vote for Scottish Labour.
Dear Voter
I was honoured to be elected as your first ever Member of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Establishing the Scottish Parliament hasn't been without its challenges. But Labour MSPs in our new Parliament have laid the foundations for the future: delivering free personal care for the elderly, a free nursery place for 3 & 4 year olds, new powers to seize the assets of drug dealers, free local bus travel for pensioners, the abolition of tuition fees and record investment in our schools and hospitals.
But there is much more to do. On May 1st you will have a choice between voting for continued investment in schools and hospitals with Labour or putting at risk the foundations Labour have laid. A vote for any other party in Dumfries Constituency - or worse still, no vote at all-will simply let the Tories back in. I hope therefore that you will use your votes.
I am proud to have been your local MSP for the past four years and proud of what Labour has done so far. But I know we have more to do. If you give me your support on May 1st, I can build on the start we have made to make Dumfries Constituency - and Scotland - a better place to live.
Yours faithfully
Elaine Murray
A Message from Russell Brown MP
"It is vital that Dumfries Constituency has an MSP who is genuinely committed to the needs of local people, who has a track record of putting their constituents first and who works hard on your behalf. That is why it is vital that all Labour supporters use their vote on Thursday and vote for Elaine Murray. Staying at home will simply let the Tories back in and put at risk Labour's investment in schools and hospitals."
- Further information:
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http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/elaine_murray/