Patricia Ferguson
- Name:
- Patricia Ferguson
- Party:
- Scottish Labour Party
- Constituency:
- Glasgow Maryhill
- Election result May 2003:
- 8997 votes (49.32%), first of five candidates
- Election literature available in Aspect:
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- Election policy statement:
- Dear Voter
Since being elected to the Scottish Parliament four years ago, I have made a point of working closely with all the communities of Maryhill. I hold regular advice surgeries across the constituency and I also arrange to meet with local people in their areas, giving them the opportunity to talk to me informally about the issues that concern them.
Living here in Maryhill, as I have done for most of my life, I know that there is still a lot more to be done. But I also know that Labour in the Scottish Parliament, working with the Labour government at Westminster and the Labour council have begun to make the kind of changes we all want to see: improving housing conditions, cutting unemployment, tackling crime, and increasing nursery provision.
We have also made sure that our older citizens benefit from the new parliament by introducing free nursing and personal care, free local off-peak bus travel and providing many pensioners with central heating for the first time.
So we have laid the foundations, and I believe only Scottish Labour can build on those foundations.
On 1 May, I hope that you will support me again to be your Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Yours faithfully
Patricia Ferguson
Improving life for pensioners
Labour has worked hard to ensure that Scottish pensioners benefit from the new parliament. We have introduced free nursing and personal care, free local off-peak bus travel, and free central heating for older people. If re-elected, Labour will extend free off-peak bus travel to all journeys across Scotland.
A stable economy
Our vision for the future is founded on a strong, stable and growing economy. Economic growth will allow us to invest in schools and hospitals, improve communities and tackle crime.
Low inflation, low interest rates and low unemployment are good news for everyone.
Investing in our future
By waiving tuition fees. Labour in the Scottish Parliament has allowed more Scots than ever before to go to university. We have also introduced modern apprenticeships, creating 20,000 in our first four years. If re-elected, Labour will build on the start we have made by increasing the number of apprenticeships to 30,000.
Smaller class sizes
Labour in the Scottish Parliament has already provided a free nursery place for every 3 and 4 year old and reduced class sizes in primary schools. Free fruit in primary schools has also been a big hit with parents and children alike. If re-elected, Labour will move on to reduce class sizes in the key stages of secondary school.
Labour working for you in Glasgow Maryhill
As someone who was brought up in Maryhill and lives in the constituency, and as your MSP for the last 4 years, I believe that the priorities we face are:
- raising standards in our schools and creating jobs
- looking after our elderly
- providing first class health services
- cracking down on crime
As a nation we have a choice between two futures: divorce or working together for better public services. I want to work for better public services, a safer society and a prosperous economy, not file for divorce from the rest of the UK.
First class health care
To build on the work we have already done to improve Scotland's health services, if re-elected, Labour will guarantee that everyone will be able to get an appointment with the local GP, nurse or member of the local health team within 48 hours.
Working hard for you
Working with the communities of Maryhill to address the issues which matter to you has always been my first priority. I will continue to listen to the people of Maryhill and work on your behalf. As well as working with community groups, I hold many local surgeries and I am available to all my constituents through my local office.
Cracking down on crime
Working with the Police, Labour has started to target drug dealers, with new powers to seize criminal assets and new drug courts. If re-elected, we will introduce tougher sentences for those caught dealing drugs. We will also work with local councils to tackle the scourge of vandalism and graffiti.
A lot to lose
A vote for the Nationalists is a vote for constitutional wrangling and less investment in public services. Their first priority would not be to improve schools, invest in health or tackle crime. Their first priority would be to set up long and costly negotiations for divorce from the rest of the UK.
Patricia Ferguson, your Scottish Labour candidate for Glasgow Maryhill. "My 1st priority will always be working hard on behalf of Maryhill".
Since the election of the Labour government in 1997, unemployment in Maryhill has reduced by 48%. But there are still too many people in Maryhill who cannot find jobs. I want to work with your local MP and the local enterprise company to try to bring more jobs into Maryhill.
If re-elected in May I will also work hard to address those issues which are common across the constituency; better bus services, the provision of high quality leisure facillities and the continued improvment of the housing stock available to local people.
- Further information:
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http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/patricia_ferguson/