I have been elected by MSYPs to be the Convener of External Affairs. This weekend was the AGM of the Scottish Youth Parliament where we elected new Trustees and Conveners/Deputy Conveners to lead the organisation for the next year. This is an exciting year for the Scottish Youth Parliament with the launch of our Manifesto for the next two years. I must admit I am happy with most of the stuff that is going into the manifesto like supporting a referendum on Scotland's constitutional future, Minimum Pricing for Alcohol and much more.
The External Affairs Committee deals with the following issues: UK & European Legislation, Relationships with Europe and the rest of the world, Reserved Matters (including defence and constitutional matters) and Issues with a Global impact.
The first meeting of the External Affairs Committee since being elected as Convener took place on Sunday (27/06/10) where we discussed a wide range of issues such as Defence, Scottish Independence, Scotland's relationship with the rest of the UK, and our relationship with Europe. Keenan Alexander MSYP (Glasgow Springburn) was also elected as Deputy Convener of External Affairs.
I look forward to taking this committee forward as I feel that it can do a lot more than it has done in the past. Our committee is the second largest within the SYP in terms of the number of members which is a great improvement from last year.
If you have any questions please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
Monday, 28 June 2010
Monday, 7 June 2010
Govan Fire Station Open Day Was a Success
I attended the Govan Fire Station open day yesterday (06/06/10) and I can say it was a fantastic day. Fire Engines were on display and visitors were allowed to sit inside them. They also had Engines from the 1960s and 1970s that visitors were allowed to go inside and see what it was like.
This was arranged as part of the Govan Fair that has been a great success this year (well to be honest it is always a success). People from all over Govan and even people who don't live in Govan come to all the events as it is great fun for everyone.
The Fire Men and Woman decided it would be a good idea to show people what it would be like if you put water on a chip pan that is on fire. Visitors were asked to stand behind the fence for demonstrations as it was dangerous. If you through water over a chip pan that is on fire the fire will become much worse and can kill you. The fire men through half a can of water over the chip pan and the fire went from a small fire in a pot to a fire of well over 3 meters. They also showed us how they cut people out of cars if there is an accident. It looked like a lot of fun as you basically had to take the roof off the car which was done by the fire men/woman.
Amongst the visitors we had the SNP MSP & Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for Glasgow Govan (same constituency as mine), Labour MP Ian Davidson for Glasgow South West as well as local councillors...ohh and not to forget Kyle Thornton, SYP candidate for Glasgow Shettleston and Chair of YSpeak (youth group in the south west of Glasgow)
YSpeak had it's own stall amongst other organisations that had stalls at the open day. People of all ages were asking Kyle what YSpeak was all about and how to get involved which was very positive. Kyle done a fantastic job of representing YSpeak. Cardonald College also had food demonstrations for visitors which was very interesting and was good for people who wanted new ideas of ways to cook pasta. After each demonstration people were allowed to eat the food that was cooked and people I spoke to that day said it was very enjoyable. There was also a face painting stall there for the kids so that they can get an animal of their choice painted on their face.
I certainly enjoyed myself at the open day and I would like to say a special thanks to all the staff at Govan Fire station that made the day a success.
If you have any questions please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
This Article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
This was arranged as part of the Govan Fair that has been a great success this year (well to be honest it is always a success). People from all over Govan and even people who don't live in Govan come to all the events as it is great fun for everyone.
The Fire Men and Woman decided it would be a good idea to show people what it would be like if you put water on a chip pan that is on fire. Visitors were asked to stand behind the fence for demonstrations as it was dangerous. If you through water over a chip pan that is on fire the fire will become much worse and can kill you. The fire men through half a can of water over the chip pan and the fire went from a small fire in a pot to a fire of well over 3 meters. They also showed us how they cut people out of cars if there is an accident. It looked like a lot of fun as you basically had to take the roof off the car which was done by the fire men/woman.
Amongst the visitors we had the SNP MSP & Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for Glasgow Govan (same constituency as mine), Labour MP Ian Davidson for Glasgow South West as well as local councillors...ohh and not to forget Kyle Thornton, SYP candidate for Glasgow Shettleston and Chair of YSpeak (youth group in the south west of Glasgow)
YSpeak had it's own stall amongst other organisations that had stalls at the open day. People of all ages were asking Kyle what YSpeak was all about and how to get involved which was very positive. Kyle done a fantastic job of representing YSpeak. Cardonald College also had food demonstrations for visitors which was very interesting and was good for people who wanted new ideas of ways to cook pasta. After each demonstration people were allowed to eat the food that was cooked and people I spoke to that day said it was very enjoyable. There was also a face painting stall there for the kids so that they can get an animal of their choice painted on their face.
I certainly enjoyed myself at the open day and I would like to say a special thanks to all the staff at Govan Fire station that made the day a success.
If you have any questions please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
This Article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Austin Sheridan MSYP condemns Israel for attacking flotilla
I was deeply shocked and angered when the flotilla carrying supplies for Gaza was attacked by Israeli troops. 10 people were killed when Israel illegally boarded the Ships carrying supplies and passengers visiting Gaza to offer help and aid. It is clear that this was an act of state terrorism by Israel. They had no right to attack a ship in international waters.
Some people on the flotilla attacked the troops when they landed on the ships. Some people say that they should not have done this as this would provoke attack from Israeli troops however, the troops had no right to be on the ships in the first place so I stand by the fact that they had the right to defend their ships from an illegal attack.
I hope that the Scottish Government and UK Government take action against this act of terrorism from Israel and stop trading with them. We need to send a strong message that makes it clear that Scotland and the UK will not tolerate this kind of behaviour from any country. We also need to send a message to Israel that Palestine has the right to exist and should nor be oppressed by Israel.
Sadly, David Cameron MP, UK Prime Minister did not live up to these expectations from any democratic country. He said he was a Friend of Israel at his first Prime Ministers Questions the day after the horrific attack. That is not the kind of message the UK Government should be sending to the Terrorist state of Israel. We should be telling them that the blockade against Gaza is wrong and we should take the necessary action to demonstrate that. We should not be telling them how friendly we are to them! It sends out the wrong message.
I will be attending a march this Saturday in Edinburgh to make sure that I along side others send a strong message to Israel and the Scottish and UK Governments about the kind of action we want to see.
We want the blockade lifted from Gaza so that we can send the supplies that the region badly needs. We will also be protesting about the treatment of Gaza. The only way this will get sorted is of Israel accept that Hamas has to be able to take part in talks and be accepted as part of the political system. Otherwise, we will not see the change we want and need on Palestine and Israel. We want them to be able to live side by side in piece. Both sides have to work equally as hard to achieve this.
Let's hope our message is heard!
If you have any questions please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
________________________
This Article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
Some people on the flotilla attacked the troops when they landed on the ships. Some people say that they should not have done this as this would provoke attack from Israeli troops however, the troops had no right to be on the ships in the first place so I stand by the fact that they had the right to defend their ships from an illegal attack.
I hope that the Scottish Government and UK Government take action against this act of terrorism from Israel and stop trading with them. We need to send a strong message that makes it clear that Scotland and the UK will not tolerate this kind of behaviour from any country. We also need to send a message to Israel that Palestine has the right to exist and should nor be oppressed by Israel.
Sadly, David Cameron MP, UK Prime Minister did not live up to these expectations from any democratic country. He said he was a Friend of Israel at his first Prime Ministers Questions the day after the horrific attack. That is not the kind of message the UK Government should be sending to the Terrorist state of Israel. We should be telling them that the blockade against Gaza is wrong and we should take the necessary action to demonstrate that. We should not be telling them how friendly we are to them! It sends out the wrong message.
I will be attending a march this Saturday in Edinburgh to make sure that I along side others send a strong message to Israel and the Scottish and UK Governments about the kind of action we want to see.
We want the blockade lifted from Gaza so that we can send the supplies that the region badly needs. We will also be protesting about the treatment of Gaza. The only way this will get sorted is of Israel accept that Hamas has to be able to take part in talks and be accepted as part of the political system. Otherwise, we will not see the change we want and need on Palestine and Israel. We want them to be able to live side by side in piece. Both sides have to work equally as hard to achieve this.
Let's hope our message is heard!
If you have any questions please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
________________________
This Article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Michael Moore MP is the new Secretary of State for Scotland
Michael Moore MP is the new Secretary of State for Scotland as Danny Alexander MP takes on the role of Chief Secretary to the Treasury due to the scandal of how David Laws MP spent around £40,000 on keeping his secret homosexual lover in accommodation to keep it a secret from the public. This is a huge blow to the UK Government at such an early stage in a fragile coalition. It is also a huge lose of any confidence anyone had in MPs since it looked like things were getting better after the expenses scandal. It only makes you wonder if there is anyone else been making huge claims like this.
I don't understand what made David Laws MP think it was appropriate to spend public money on keeping his sexuality a secret. He must have known that what he was doing was wrong but that did not stop him. He put himself before the people he is meant to be serving. It is a great shame to see this happen to someone I thought was a 'half decent MP', obviously I was wrong.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
You can find this article at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
I don't understand what made David Laws MP think it was appropriate to spend public money on keeping his sexuality a secret. He must have known that what he was doing was wrong but that did not stop him. He put himself before the people he is meant to be serving. It is a great shame to see this happen to someone I thought was a 'half decent MP', obviously I was wrong.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
You can find this article at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
Thursday, 27 May 2010
UK Government try to control QT?
The UK Government said that they would not sent a Cabinet Minister on Question Time today (27/05/10) due to Alistair Campbell 'Tony Blair's Former Communications Director' taking part in the show.
I really do not understand why they refuse to put a Minister on QT just because Alistair Campbell is on the panel. I mean all the parties put a frontbench MP on the show when the BNP's Nick Griffin MEP was on the show. I very much doubt that anyone could see Alistair Campbell anymore vile than Nick Griffin MEP.
It was expected that a Cabinet Minister would attend the show as the Queens speech was done this week. David Dimbleby said that BBC Question Time refused to remove Alistair Campbell saying that only the BBC Question Time will choose the panel, not No 10.
I was very pleased that Question Time made a point of telling people why there was no Cabinet Minister on the show. I think that it is wrong that the UK Government tried to control who was on the Question Time panel. I am glad BBC QT did not give into the UK Government's demands to have Alistair Campbell removed from the QT panel.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
You can find this article at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
I really do not understand why they refuse to put a Minister on QT just because Alistair Campbell is on the panel. I mean all the parties put a frontbench MP on the show when the BNP's Nick Griffin MEP was on the show. I very much doubt that anyone could see Alistair Campbell anymore vile than Nick Griffin MEP.
It was expected that a Cabinet Minister would attend the show as the Queens speech was done this week. David Dimbleby said that BBC Question Time refused to remove Alistair Campbell saying that only the BBC Question Time will choose the panel, not No 10.
I was very pleased that Question Time made a point of telling people why there was no Cabinet Minister on the show. I think that it is wrong that the UK Government tried to control who was on the Question Time panel. I am glad BBC QT did not give into the UK Government's demands to have Alistair Campbell removed from the QT panel.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
You can find this article at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog section)
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Glasgow MSYP Group set to change constitution to create a Glasgow Youth Council
The Glasgow MSYP Group is set to have it's AGM on the 9 June (2010) where it will discuss changing the groups constitution to become a city-wide Youth Council.
I said that this would be a good idea as it will allow more young people in our city to be involved in youth campaigns and will open opportunities to young people that are interested in making a difference. Once the funding and structures are put in place the group will consist of Glasgow MSYPs, Unsuccessful SYP candidates, youth groups from around the city and Schools.
I am particularly pleased that this will give unsuccessful SYP candidates a place on the youth council if this goes ahead. I believe that even though the candidates were not elected, it proves that they are interested in making a difference to their area and young people in other parts of the constituency they stand for.
In the South West part of my constituency I, alongside other young people set up a youth community reference group which is called YSpeak. This group has been very good for the young people in the South West of Glasgow as we now have a much stronger voice and more of a say on youth issues in the area. I am hoping that I can get young people together in the South Central (Southside) part of my constituency to do the same. To give young people a voice in their community. It will be groups like YSpeak that a Youth Council in Glasgow would be made up of.
I also hope that if a Youth Council is set up we will see more young people wanting to run for MSYP. Glasgow Govan was one of the most contested constituencies with 5 people running. The others had 4-3 candidates apart from one. Glasgow Pollok (covers the rest of Glasgow South West) only had 1 candidate which meant that Aamir Riaz MSYP was uncontested. Hopefully a Youth Council will attract more candidates and stop this from happening again.
I will post an update blog on the AGM once it has taken place.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (blog section)
I said that this would be a good idea as it will allow more young people in our city to be involved in youth campaigns and will open opportunities to young people that are interested in making a difference. Once the funding and structures are put in place the group will consist of Glasgow MSYPs, Unsuccessful SYP candidates, youth groups from around the city and Schools.
I am particularly pleased that this will give unsuccessful SYP candidates a place on the youth council if this goes ahead. I believe that even though the candidates were not elected, it proves that they are interested in making a difference to their area and young people in other parts of the constituency they stand for.
In the South West part of my constituency I, alongside other young people set up a youth community reference group which is called YSpeak. This group has been very good for the young people in the South West of Glasgow as we now have a much stronger voice and more of a say on youth issues in the area. I am hoping that I can get young people together in the South Central (Southside) part of my constituency to do the same. To give young people a voice in their community. It will be groups like YSpeak that a Youth Council in Glasgow would be made up of.
I also hope that if a Youth Council is set up we will see more young people wanting to run for MSYP. Glasgow Govan was one of the most contested constituencies with 5 people running. The others had 4-3 candidates apart from one. Glasgow Pollok (covers the rest of Glasgow South West) only had 1 candidate which meant that Aamir Riaz MSYP was uncontested. Hopefully a Youth Council will attract more candidates and stop this from happening again.
I will post an update blog on the AGM once it has taken place.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (blog section)
Friday, 21 May 2010
Scottish Youth Parliament prepares for AGM on 26 June
The Scottish Youth Parliament is going to have it's next sitting this June on the 26th. This will also be the Youth Parliaments AGM where MSYPs will have the opportunity to be elected to the Board of Trustees which Govern the Youth Parliament and make important decisions on the finance of the Scottish Youth Parliament and also covers areas such as which staff to employ etc.
Any MSYP between the age of 16 - 25 will have the opportunity to apply to become a candidate for Trustee Director, Chair and Vice Chair. This is a great example of a properly Youth Lead organisation. No major decision is made by anyone over the age of 25 and all board members must be Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. No other Youth Parliament in the UK is entirely Youth Led.
You must be over the age of 16 to become a board member due to child protection law. This is why the age range of 14 - 25 benefits the SYP. If we had an age range such as 11-18 we would not be able to have a Youth Lead Parliament.
I have been thinking of standing for a position on the board as I believe that the Scottish Youth Parliament still needs a lot of change to become a model Youth Parliament I believe it can be. There has been lots of changes in the SYP over the past year which have been very beneficial to the day to day running of the Scottish Youth Parliament but we have not gone far enough in my view. I believe that the SYP has not met it's full potential. I believe its about MSYPs working together to make it more accountable and more democratic. It's time for change, it's time to move forward.
What I think the SYPs main goal should be is this, we should try and become a department of the Scottish Parliament. Become an OFFICAL Youth Parliament like the Irish equivalent. This is a goal that we should aim for. The SYP has been leading the way in Europe when it comes to Youth Parliaments, we should continue to lead the way by becoming a Government department which would mean more secure funding.
Another thing I would like to see is reform of the Committee system. It is unworkable in its current state and I am sure that MSYPs will agree that even though we are all members of committee's we do not have committee meetings. If we can reform this I believe that it will close the 'us and them' gap between backbench MSYPs and MSYPs who are Conveners/Deputy Conveners and Trustee Directors. Along side these plans I would like to see all minuets (non-confidential) of the Board meetings published for all MSYPs to read and hopefully the general public would also be able to read them.
We will just have to wait and see what happens at this years AGM to see if we get people who are willing to go for the change we need.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog Section)
Any MSYP between the age of 16 - 25 will have the opportunity to apply to become a candidate for Trustee Director, Chair and Vice Chair. This is a great example of a properly Youth Lead organisation. No major decision is made by anyone over the age of 25 and all board members must be Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament. No other Youth Parliament in the UK is entirely Youth Led.
You must be over the age of 16 to become a board member due to child protection law. This is why the age range of 14 - 25 benefits the SYP. If we had an age range such as 11-18 we would not be able to have a Youth Lead Parliament.
I have been thinking of standing for a position on the board as I believe that the Scottish Youth Parliament still needs a lot of change to become a model Youth Parliament I believe it can be. There has been lots of changes in the SYP over the past year which have been very beneficial to the day to day running of the Scottish Youth Parliament but we have not gone far enough in my view. I believe that the SYP has not met it's full potential. I believe its about MSYPs working together to make it more accountable and more democratic. It's time for change, it's time to move forward.
What I think the SYPs main goal should be is this, we should try and become a department of the Scottish Parliament. Become an OFFICAL Youth Parliament like the Irish equivalent. This is a goal that we should aim for. The SYP has been leading the way in Europe when it comes to Youth Parliaments, we should continue to lead the way by becoming a Government department which would mean more secure funding.
Another thing I would like to see is reform of the Committee system. It is unworkable in its current state and I am sure that MSYPs will agree that even though we are all members of committee's we do not have committee meetings. If we can reform this I believe that it will close the 'us and them' gap between backbench MSYPs and MSYPs who are Conveners/Deputy Conveners and Trustee Directors. Along side these plans I would like to see all minuets (non-confidential) of the Board meetings published for all MSYPs to read and hopefully the general public would also be able to read them.
We will just have to wait and see what happens at this years AGM to see if we get people who are willing to go for the change we need.
If you have any questions please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
_______________________
This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog Section)
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