19.08.2015
People in Paisley will have the opportunity to have their democratic voice heard as the Scottish Parliament comes to Paisley Town Hall for the day on Monday 21 September.
Holyrood’s Parliament Day initiative, introduced by the Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, takes the Parliament out into communities around Scotland, encouraging local people to take an interest in and engage directly with the Parliament and its work.
As part of Parliament Day Paisley, MSPs on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee will meet with local people to hear about how their working lives have changed since the 2008 recession. This session will inform an inquiry the Committee is undertaking on the issue of ‘work, wages and wellbeing.’
In the evening, local people are also invited to an informal Q&A session, hosted by the Presiding Officer, where they can quiz MSPs about how their Parliament works for them.
Members of the local community are invited to come along and find out more, with refreshments available.
The Presiding Officer said:
“The Scottish Parliament is there to represent all of Scotland’s communities and it’s important we hear directly from local people about the issues affecting their daily lives. I’m sure the people of Paisley will take this opportunity to make their voice heard and engage with their Parliament.
“I would encourage everyone who can to come along to the Town Hall to chat to me, my fellow MSPs and Parliament staff and find out more about politics and the Parliament. We want to hear from you.”
George Adam, MSP for Paisley said:
“One of the most important aspects of our modern parliament is its ability to engage with people across Scotland. Paisley is a great town with great people and a tremendous history. This is easily observed just walking through the centre of the town with our Abbey, which is over 850 years old, and the civic buildings created by the Victorian cotton mill owners.
“This visit by the Parliament to Paisley is about engagement. Towns like Paisley have their issues like unemployment and the need to reinvigorate town centres. These are challenges that must be tackled head on and the Parliament coming to Paisley is part of a process that should be welcomed, ensuring greater transparency for policies and decisions at parliamentary level.
“This visit also highlights that it is up to all of us to play our part in ensuring that our town is the type of place we wish to live and work.”
Background
Parliament Day Paisley will be held in Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JF. The informal Q&A session with the Presiding Officer is open to all from 5:30pm.
To get more information and to find out how you can be involved please contact: Debra Gourlay, Outreach Services Support Officer on 0131 348 5414 or email debra.gourlay@scottish.parliament.uk
Launched in November 2012, the Parliament Day initiative is all about taking the Parliament out of Edinburgh and into communities across Scotland. Parliament Days allow people to see the Parliament at work – both official parliamentary business such as committee meetings, and on a less formal level by meeting local MSPs and Parliament staff.
Eleven Parliament Days have been held across Scotland from Orkney to Hawick, and from Stornoway to Arbroath.