February Meeting - Ian Davidson MP

[22 February 2010]

76 members and guests attended this event to hear guest speaker Ian Davidson MP say that he was involved in the launch of Govan Initiative and the Southside Business Club (now GSBC) over twenty years ago but only now has received an invite to speak!   " I'm sure that Pope Benedict on his Scottish tour will get an invite to speak at Ibrox long before I did!", quipped Ian.

Ian went on to relate how he first got involved in politics back in 1978 when he progressed from being a SRC councillor to winning the Govan seat.

He explained that having his wife working for and with him helps keep their family life intact and stressed that being an MP does impact on family life, outlining a typical week as follows :

Monday-to Westminster-there until 11.00pm.

Tuesday-Westminster-again till 11.00pm.

Wednesday-Westminster-9.00am until 8.00pm(an early night!).

Thursday-Westminster then last train or plane-home at midnight.

Friday-local surgery until late pm.

Saturday am-local surgery

Ian sees employment as his main target, from trying to ensure shipyard jobs are maintained to fighting against what he terms "poverty of ambition" among many young people in his constituency by helping to create opportunities for a wider group of youngsters.

He spoke of his admiration for the various local organisations in the community and those local companies who commit to employing local people, e.g. Thales, 25% of whose workforce are indigenous.

Grateful thanks to Ian for a very interesting presentation.