Around the ‘Shire
with Christine Jardine
IN THIS ISSUE
Dealing with the GP crisis
Supporting our farmers
Exclusive From family tragedy to trying to improve people’s lives, read about
Christine’s story Improving bus and rail services
Picture Special: Out and about in Aberdeenshire East with Christine
COMMUNITY
Welcome By Sir Malcolm Bruce It was a great privilege to represent Gordon, and Aberdeenshire as MP for 32 years. I have many fond memories of my time as a Member of Parliament and am proud of what we have achieved together. That is why it is still so important to me that Aberdeenshire has the best possible political representation. With the Scottish Parliamentary elections this May I have no doubt who that should be.
Housing we can afford
For me, Christine Jardine will be the strong voice and committed public servant that our communities deserve. Over the past three years I have worked closely with Christine and witnessed first hand her determination and hard work. She listens to people and cares about solving the problems that they face.
others this magazine will be an introduction. I hope you enjoy reading about Christine, and learning what she wants to achieve for the people of Aberdeenshire East. She has the skills and experience it takes to succeed as your MSP, but she needs your vote to make that happen.
I am confident that ,as you get to I know many of you have already met know her, you will share my opinion and support Christine in May. her, and spoken with her, but for
A determined campaigner
Finding somewhere affordable to live is an all too common problem in Aberdeenshire East. Many families’ budgets are stretched by house prices and rents that are amongst the highest in the country. Christine Jardine is committed to tackling the problem and said: “It’s time we encouraged developers to build smaller, cheaper homes that people can afford. “We also need our councils to have the funding to invest in social housing. But the SNP Government cuts make that more difficult. “Lib Dems want to change that with better funding and more power for councils.”
Christine is determine d to get a better deal for our far mers and rural communities
Christine to Charles inspired for what she always campaign t people first believed in and pu
ison Christine and Al tackle the to McInnes work r to communities te at issues that m
As a mum and a university lecturer, Christ ine is committe d to putting you ng people first
TRANSPORT
It’s time to get our transport moving
For many of our communities public transport is a vital lifeline that they do not feel serves them well. We need investment to get the ‘Shire moving.
It’s time we had the transport infrastructure that our communities and industry deserve, says Scottish Lib Dem Christine Jardine.
project and believe we deserve the same level of investment here.
“Our existing rail service is overcrowded, journey times to the She’s called for action to improve bus central belt have got longer and we services and wants to see major need more stations to serve investment in a Buchan rail line similar communities. to the new Borders’ facility. “Our bus service too needs to be She said: “Lib Dems at Holyrood were more responsive to public needs. instrumental in launching the Borders “I want to make sure that happens.”
What the papers say: “She announced her plans to write to SNP Transport Minister Derek McKay to ask him to give the issue (train overcrowding) some much needed attention” Ellon Times December 2015
“My discussions with the manager reassured me that every possible step was taken to minimise potential delays (to the AWPR)” Inverurie Herald February 2016
Buchan Bus bust-up A packed public meeting in Mintlaw heard Christine Jardine call on operators Stagecoach to listen to concerns over the new Buchan Express Coaches. There is widespread concern that they pose problems for disabled and elderly passengers. Ms Jardine said: “There was a clear feeling at the meeting, and from what people told me separately ,that the new coaches are not accessible for many people. “If they can’t use the buses those people could be left isolated. I’m pleased Stagecoach are carrying out a survey and hope they take these concerns seriously. “I will be doing everything I can to press for a service that is suitable for all the people in Buchan.”
How learning that life can be cruel drives her to make a difference for I was brought up in a working class household where I was encouraged to aim high and dream big, but I was also made aware that not everyone was as lucky as me. As the eldest of three sisters I learned early both to value my family and how quickly the security it provides can be shattered. My dad died very suddenly when my two sisters were only eight and 13 years old. From a comfortable financial situation where dad had a good job and Mum was at home for us, we were suddenly a one parent family. It felt that our lives, our whole world had changed literally overnight. But we were lucky. Mum had terrific support which made it possible for her to go back to work. She made sure we still had everything we needed for the best possible start in life. As a young adult at university I knew I had a responsibility too. My parents had given me the best possible start and it was
Christine as a toddler with her Mum and Dad
my turn to step up and do my bit. I'm grateful for what I've had and its made me determined to do whatever I can to ensure all children get the chance to fulfil their potential and pursue their dreams. My own family's experience is also at the root of my commitment to protecting, and improving, our NHS services. When my dad died we knew that he had received the best possible care, and nothing more could have been done to try to save him. Five years ago I also faced major surgery confident that I was in good hands. My GP and hospital staff were wonderful, the care superb. It breaks my heart now to see people forced to travel for operations, look around to find a GP practice that will accept them and know the pressure the health board and medical
Christine is committed to giving every child the best sta rt in life
@cajardine
others... professionals face to provide the standard of care patients deserve. That's not good enough. We were entrusted with a quality health service that previous generations built and we benefited from. It’s up to us to protect it and ensure it has the investment it needs so we can all be sure our loved ones will have world class care when they need it. I am determined to make sure that happens. I have campaigned for action on the emerging GP crisis in the North East and for improved support from the SNP Government for NHS Grampian. I have also called for incentives, such as salary weighting, to encourage doctors, teachers and other public servants to move to Aberdeenshire. Its time for the change we need. I want to make it happen.
re and Family is the cent Christine’s in motivating force life
FARMING and EDUCATION
Backing our farmers
With farmers across Aberdeenshire facing late payments, the health of ou rural economy is under threat and needs urgent government support The past year has been tough for our farmers, and made tougher by the SNP Government’s failures. A lack of communication over CAP reforms has been followed by late payments. “It’s simply not good enough” said Christine Jardine, “and farmers have a right to be angry. “Many of them are already under pressure because of low commodity prices. Christine meets farmers and producers at this year’s Spring Show at Thainstone
“I want to see action to make sure that all payments are made quickly and take pressure off rural communities.”
Lib Dem plan for education A penny on tax to invest £475 million in our children’s future It’s a cliché but our children really are our future. That’s why Liberal Democrats are determined that we must improve education in Scotland right through from nursery to university. “I believe that every child deserves the best start in life and the best possible chance to fulfil their potential,” said Christine. “That’s why I want to see the Scottish Government’s new powers used to raise funds to increase education spending. “Our penny on income tax would make a huge difference, without hitting those who need help most.
“I am proud that it was Lib Dems who persuaded this Scottish Government to give 15,000 two year olds free nursery education.
“Standardised testing promotes teaching to those tests, and inevitably leads to league tables of how schools have performed.
“But it’s still not good enough. I want “It also puts undue pressure on children who should be enjoying even more two year olds to qualify. learning about the world.” “I also want schools to get extra And on universities she said: money through a Scottish Pupil Premium like the one Lib Dems have “Government should not interfere successfully introduced down South. with universities. “It would help children in households “They need to be places where facing financial problems wherever young adults are free to express they live, and not just those in the themselves.” poorest areas.” “This could be at risk if charities, Christine is also clear on why she businesses and private donors pull believes standardised national out due to excessive government testing and league tables in schools controls.” are wrong.
HEALTH
ur
Curing the GP crisis Christine, local councillor Anne Robertson and leader Willie Rennie meet residents concerned about the GP crisis
Local GPs are facing an uphill struggle. With low morale, increasingly unmanageable workloads and a crisis in recruiting new family doctors, Christine and Around the ‘Shire examine the problem and look to the future. The NHS is an institution to be proud of and one everyone in Scotland will use at some point in their life.
on the front line, dealing with the decisions that are made in the Scottish Parliament on a day-to-day basis.
But increasingly we are seeing it under pressure across NHS Grampian.
“With GP services facing a crisis due to the lack of new doctors choosing general practice, waiting times in A&E far too long and mental health not being given the priority it deserves, something has to change.
“We should never talk about our health services without paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of our doctors and nurses.” said Christine.
“We need to give control of our NHS back to our doctors and nurses. They know what our health services need much better than politicians in “Every day I hear concerns about waiting Edinburgh. times and pressure on GP practices and other services across Aberdeenshire. “I trust our health staff and it’s time the SNP showed the same level of trust to “And I think it is vital to listen both to the make sure we get the first class health patients who are affected, and to those care we all deserve.” “They do an amazing job, often in conditions that are far from perfect.
What Scottish GPs think
33%
wouldn’t choose to be a GP again.
96%
have an unmanagable workload
50%
say their workload is their biggest challenge
Christine spends time visiting oil and gas face companies to find out the challenges they
Out and about in
rt in Christine regularly visits The Ma Inverurie to talk to farmers
Christine meets with local produc ers and businesses to find out what they need
Christine and th e team visit com munities across Aberdee nshire East to fin d out what matters m ost to you
This map contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Printed by MBM Print, 166 Riverford Road, Glasgow, G43 1PT. Published and promoted by F Mccallum on behalf of Christine Jardine (Scottish Liberal Democrats) both at 71 High Street, Inverurie, AB51 3QJ