Latest news with #Inverclyde
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Old enough to pay tax, old enough to vote': Inverclyde's MSYPs on voting age change
INVERCLYDE'S representatives at the Scottish Youth Parliament have welcomed the decision to lower the voting age for general elections to 16. The UK Government has announced plans to lower the voting age across the country to let 16 and 17-year-olds vote, meaning these born in 2013 will be able to cast a ballot in the 2029 general election. In Scotland, those as young as 16 have been voting since 2016 when they were granted the right by Holyrood to vote in Scottish Parliamentary elections and local elections. Matthew Quinn MSYP (Image: Contributed) Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for Inverclyde, Matthew Quinn and Maya McCrae, have both praised the Westminster decision and have offered some advice for first time voters. Matthew said lowering the voting age is a 'major victory' for young people. He said: 'One of the main Scottish critiques of the Westminster system is that it is not always representative of the people. I feel this decision is an important step towards changing that. 'I would say to younger voters who will be voting [for the first time], do your own research and try to become as informed as possible. 'It is easier to make a choice in an election if you have a good idea of all the parties, candidates and what they stand for.' Despite his praise for the plans, Matthew also says that this policy change 'merely gives young people what they deserve'. Maya McCrae (Image: George Munro) Maya has also welcomed the decision, saying it is a change the electoral system 'really needed'. She told the Tele: 'I think this is fantastic news and proves that if young people stick to our guns and campaign for what we want, we will see results. 'Young people working alongside the SYP have put in so much time and energy to create the impact that was needed to see this policy pushed through and I'm just delighted to see our hard work pay off. 'With voter turnout consistently decreasing and with the change in the political atmosphere, young people deserve to have their say. 'If you're old enough to pay taxes, you're old enough to vote on how that money should be spent.' Other News Calls for a new Port Glasgow health centre as building is 'past its due date' Concern raised over £6m Greenock street works after road surface is torn up Athletes of all abilities encouraged to join Inverclyde's triathlon next month Maya's advice to young voters is to become involved in politics early on and to be wary of using social media as a primary source of information when it comes to election time. She added: 'With the rise in social media becoming the primary source for news, I think it's really important that governments focus on decreasing the levels of propaganda and misinformation that's spread across the internet, and that there's a real drive to encourage young people to get involved in politics from as early as possible.' Alongside this change, voters will now be able to use UK-issued bank cards as a form of voter ID, providing the card displays the elector's name.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour is delivering for defence in Scotland through Clyde 2070, says Inverclyde MP
It's been a busy few weeks both in Westminster and back home in the constituency. The House of Commons rises for summer recess next week, and I'm looking forward to a summer of getting out and about meeting as many people, groups, and businesses as possible. Yesterday, I held street surgeries in Braeside and it was great to speak to people on their doorsteps and see what I can do to support them, and over the weekend I'll be out in Port Glasgow. We've got street and high street business surgeries planned in addition to my regular coffee mornings and advice surgeries over the summer so please do get in touch with my office if you'd like to know when we're next in your area! We're delivering for defence in Scotland The UK Government's announcement of a £250 million investment at HM Naval Base Clyde is welcome news and, on Wednesday, I joined colleagues at the base to discuss how this funding can benefit communities across the west coast. More than 6,000 people work at HM Naval Base Clyde. (Image: Newsquest)HMNB Clyde is already one of the largest single employment sites in the west of Scotland with more than 6,000 people employed there, many from our area. The Clyde 2070 programme will modernise the base to support the next generation of submarines, and this defence dividend can be maximised by local communities for years to come. It will open up skilled roles in the defence sector – an area where Inverclyde has real potential to lead. I'll be working to ensure that local people benefit from this investment. Through this, we can foster skills and deliver for the next generation of workers in our area. I'll keep fighting for Ferguson Marine This week, the chief executive of Ferguson Marine, Graeme Thomson, appeared before the Scottish Affairs Committee in the House of Commons and, once again, said that the yard will struggle if they are overlooked for the replacement contract for the MV Lord of the Isles ferry. We can't have a situation again where work for Scottish boats is sent overseas. Graeme Thomson appeared before MPs at Westminster this week. (Image: Ferguson Marine) I was proud to see the UK Government delivering for Fergusons as they signed a contract with BAE Systems to build structural components for one of the Royal Navy's new state-of-the-art warships. Now, we need the Scottish Government to step up and step in to ensure the yard's place on the Clyde for the next generation. Over the coming months, I'll continue to push CMAL and the Scottish Government to do right by the yard. Our UK Labour Government is empowering young people One of the most exciting parts of my job is meeting young people across [[Inverclyde]] and Renfrewshire West and visiting our local schools. Over the past few months, I've visited several schools to talk about politics, democracy, and the issues that matter to them and welcomed schools to Parliament to do the same. I'm always struck by how well informed our young people are about politics and how engaged they are in making a change in their community. That's why I welcome the UK Government's announcement that it plans to lower the voting age to 16 before the next general election. Young people aged 16 and 17 will soon be able to vote in UK elections. (Image: PA) Young people are already able to vote in Scottish council elections and Scottish Parliament elections. It's right that it should be the same for UK elections. Young people are already shaping our communities, and they deserve a say in the decisions that affect their future. Bank cards will be now also accepted as voter ID at polling stations, stripping away the red tape for voters to make your lives easier.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletes of all abilities encouraged to join Inverclyde's triathlon next month
INVERCLYDE'S annual triathlon race will return to Gourock next month with experienced athletes and beginners encouraged to take part. On Sunday, August 17, swimmers, runners and cyclists will be lacing up their trainers and looking out their goggles as they gear up to compete in Inverclyde Leisure's popular event. The main event of the Adult Sprint Distance Triathlon includes a half-mile swim - which is 24 lengths of Gourock's outdoor pool - followed by a 10-mile cycle to Ardgowan Estate and back, before finishing with a 5km run to McInroy's Point and back. Inverclyde Leisure's triathlon will return to Gourock outdoor pool in August with competitors of all abilities encouraged to take part (Image: George Munro) There's also something for the younger athletes, with a Junior Aquathlon for 10 to 17-year-olds, featuring 12 lengths of the pool and a 3km run to the Gourock Royal Yacht Club and back. To ensure the event is as inclusive as possible Inverclyde Leisure organisers said people of all fitness levels are welcome to take part, and every year lots of entrants do their first-ever triathlon Inverclyde. The only thing requirement that organisers ask is that competitors can complete the swim in under 45 minutes. Head of Inverclyde Leisure, David McCorkindale has been taking part in the triathlon since it began in 2007 and says he has never missed a year of the race. He said: 'It's a fantastic even and I would encourage anybody of any level to try it out this year just for the taking part and then build on their time for next year. "You can also take part as a team so get you friends or work colleagues together so you can build it up to doing it all yourself. "It can be a challenge, but it is also very rewarding when you cross the finish line." Other News Seafield House residents put their cowboy hats on for a summer rodeo party Calls for a new Port Glasgow health centre as building is 'past its due date' Take a look inside the Port Glasgow apiary home to half a million bees To take part in the event as a team, there only needs to be three members: one runner, one cyclist, and a swimmer. David says the Inverclyde Leisure team has done an 'incredible job' in getting the course ready and making sure every competitor has a safe and fun race. Even if you aren't taking part in the race, spectators are welcome to cheer on the athletes as they race along Gourock. Entry for individuals to the adult sprint distance triathlon is £44.60 for Inverclyde Leisure members, or £55.10 for non-members with a team entry costing £60 total for three people. Entry for junior race is £17.50 for members and £21 for non-members. For more information and to sign up call 01475213135 or email Entries close on August 3, and with limited places available on a first come, first served basis.
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
Ferguson chief says shipyard needs ferry contract with no competition
The Ferguson shipyard faces a 'very difficult' future unless ministers hand it a ferry replacement contract, the chief executive has warned. Graeme Thomson said he had already lobbied for the Inverclyde yard to be given the mandate to build the successor to MV Lord of the Isles. That vessel normally sails from Lochboisdale on South Uist to the mainland at Mallaig. Fiona Hyslop, the transport secretary, said in April that money was available for a replacement to be built with CMAL, the procurement agency, looking at designs. The yard has been in public hands since 2019 after it ran out of cash building the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ferries. Holyrood ministers decided in March this year that they could not legally find a way to directly award Ferguson the work to build seven electric ferries for the small vessels replacement programme and that went to the Polish yard Remontowa. Thomson, who started at Ferguson in May, told the Scottish affairs committee at Westminster that the state-owned yard could not compete on price with overseas rivals. A direct award would mean Ferguson being given the contract without it having to go through procurement. Thomson said he had 'lobbied for a direct award' and believed the Scottish government was considering whether it was possible. He said: 'I'm not aware of what might be challenges or blockers to that.' Asked by MPs what the future might hold if the yard did not win that contract, he said: 'It would be very difficult for us and very challenging.' Thomson argued there was a need to give UK yards a better chance to win domestic work with about 150 non-navy vessels due to be built over the next 30 years. He said: 'As long as there is a situation that international yards can do it cheaper than us, whether because of labour rates or tax breaks, then we will never be playing on a level playing field. We need to move the conversation away from a race to the bottom on price.' Ferguson recently won a contract from BAE Systems to build structural steel blocks for HMS Birmingham as part of the Type 26 programme. Thomson is hopeful that the scope of work could be expanded in the future, while it is also looking into bids to build pilot boats and tugs. He said: 'If the portfolio starts with smaller boats, then we get back into larger boats, then I'm very content we would protect as much of the workforce as we can.' Thomson told MPs he was confident that Glen Rosa, which is already seven years late and vastly over budget, would be ready for handover in the second quarter of next year. Separately, Shona Robison, the finance secretary, said that the Scottish government continued to talk with bus operators and transport authorities to establish demand levels for double-decker buses as part of its efforts to find a future for Alexander Dennis. The bus builder is proposing to shut its Scottish manufacturing division, with 400 jobs at risk across Falkirk and Larbert.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Organisers of music festival want next year's edition to be 'bigger and better'
THE minds behind an Inverclyde music festival which recently drew hundreds of people to Fort Matilda say they want next year to be even bigger and better. Music lovers flocked to the Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club at the end of May for the fourth edition of the Terraza Del Clyde music festival. The two-day event is the brainchild of Gourock DJ Bruce Glenny and Dylan McFadyen, both of Summer Friends Productions, but this year the pair were backed up by local property firm Bowman Rebecchi. The firm sponsored the festival and also leant their marketing experience to Bruce and Dylan to help them get the major event over the line. Speaking to the Tele, Bruce said Terraza would not have been able to happen without their support and added that they were now looking ahead to more collaborations. (Image: Duncan Bryceland) He said: 'I was really pleased with how it went but to be honest I don't think any of us realised how tough it would be. It definitely took a mental strain on me. 'It's getting to the stage where it's a lot bigger than a two-man job. 'We needed help from Marco and Andrew at Bowman Rebecchi, we definitely would not have been able to do it without them. 'Now we're looking at how we can get people to see how good this is for the local area and for the companies involved like Tonino's, Shipyard Gin and the rugby club itself. 'We're looking for this to be Inverclyde's own festival with everyone getting involved. 'We now have the potential to attract big names, but you need to think about what the people around here would like, of all age groups and backgrounds. 'I think the likes of Ayr having the Pavillion Festival, Dundee having Hannah Lang's festival, those bring so much money into the area and big crowds too. 'When we started this four years ago we never expected to get to the stage where we are now, it's exciting looking forward.' Other news Detailed plans revealed for £500,000 revamp of Greenock Scouts' community hub Redeveloped West Blackhall Street reopens after repairs to damaged road surface Police cover left 'seriously low' when Greenock custody cells were closed Talented performers from across Inverclyde and beyond took part in the festival, including Scottish DJ KC Lights, electronic duo Illyus & Barrientos, and local all-female band The Laurettes. Despite at times wet weather, hundreds of locals turned out and enjoyed the music, Marco Rebecchi, of Bowman Rebecchi, believes Inverclyde's profile will be raised by having its own festival. He added: 'This year was good, and we want next year to be even bigger. We want to help put Inverclyde on the map from a festival point of view. 'The only thing we couldn't do was guarantee the weather unfortunately, that was a wee bit of a damper. 'As Bruce says, we want to get as many local businesses involved as possible, so it's not just about the music and Bowman Rebecchi. 'We've spoken about how we could get more people involved in terms of attending, whether it be a family day where you can have kids along and sit outside in the sunshine, or something else like that. 'With the rugby club venue being the size it is we can do things like that. 'We've spoken as well about what we can do to attract bigger acts, bigger names that more households know. 'Inverclyde gets a lot of bad press sometimes but this is something positive, there's a lot of doom and gloom about it.'
