Press Release
26th October 2000
Political Experiment Pays Off
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has described his recent roving surgeries as "a successful political experiment," but has admitted that it was a nerve-wracking experience.
"When you try something new, you are always unsure as to how it will work in practice. You can torment yourself with visions of what may go wrong. However, I am pleased and pleasantly surprised that the surgeries were so well received."
The new-style surgeries, which were carried out last Tuesday and Thursday, were the first of their kind in Greenock & Inverclyde - covering over 1700 families throughout the constituency.
Commenting on the project, Mr McNeil said:
"A democracy is only as strong as the link between its politicians and its people. The goal of this experiment was to strengthen this link by making it easier for people to express their views to me.
"There is a myth in some quarters that you must have a specific problem before you are allowed contact your MSP. That is not so. I welcome comments and opinions from anyone in Greenock & Inverclyde on any item of Scottish Parliament policy.
"People want to become engaged in politics, but while anyone can phone, email, fax or write to me at any time, they may not wish to write a detailed thesis on their thoughts. Roving surgeries are a good way of discussing politics in an informal manner. By going out into the street, it is easier for constituents to put their views directly to me."
Mr McNeil also said that he was surprised by the variety of issues raised. "Someone even stopped me in the street to let me know that they didn’t have anything to complain about."
Mr McNeil confirmed that he intends to make the roving surgeries a regular fixture in his constituency work calendar. "We will announce details of the locations for the next round of roving surgeries shortly," he said. "The surgeries scheduled for last Wednesday, which were postponed due to Donald Dewar’s funeral, will be held at the same times on Monday 13th November."
ENDS
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