Joan McAlpine has marked the dissolution of the Scottish Parliament before the Holyrood elections by praising the often unseen work carried out by community groups, volunteers, businesses and individuals across Dumfriesshire that makes our region a better place.
Ms McAlpine said the privilege of serving as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament gives politicians an insight into the challenges and hardships faced by many people, as well as an unique overview of the talent, potential and hard work being done to address these challenges.
Speaking after parliament dissolved Ms McAlpine said:
“Over the last five years it has been an absolute privilege to serve as a regional MSP for the south of Scotland. Politics is about people and their future, it’s about building stronger communities and having a vision for a fairer, more prosperous region.
“Very often it’s about finding practical ways to overcome barriers or challenges, and much of this work carried out by MSPs, and by other organisations in the region, is by its very nature confidential and unseen. It’s about helping a child with complex care needs access support, helping to overturn an unfair benefits sanction, supporting a vulnerable adult, helping an innovative business make a breakthrough, speaking up for communities and issues – essentially being a voice for people who have been let down by systems which often have little regard for individual circumstances.
“My passion is in getting things done and being a positive voice for this beautiful part of Scotland. Too often I have heard people claim that Dumfriesshire is ‘forgotten’, but such negative statements talk down our region.
“This is a remarkable part of Scotland with some truly inspirational people delivering transformative change that is improving the lives of everyone who lives here.
“As parliament dissolves before the election it is worth taking some time to reflect upon what has been achieved over the last five years and what remains to be done. This is a region with vast potential and I strongly believe it is time for Dumfriesshire to play a bigger role in Scotland’s future. I hope to help this happen, by championing city region status and calling for improved connectivity in both digital and transport infrastructure.
“Thank you to all the individuals, voluntary groups and communities who have asked me to support them over the past five years. I hope I have made a difference.”
