Central Scotland SNP MSP, Linda Fabiani, has been presented with Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) for her “services to Scottish political life and culture” and in recognition of her “extraordinary understanding” of the role of architects and architecture in society. The Strathaven-based MSP served as the Scottish Government Minister with responsibility for architecture between May 2007 and February 2009.

David Dunbar, the newly elected President of RIAS,who awarded the Fellowships at the Caird Hall, Dundee on Friday 15th May 2009, commented: “As Scotland’s Minister for Architecture, Linda demonstrated an extraordinary understanding of the complexities of the architects’ tasks and their focus upon creating work which contributes positively to society. She is an enthusiastic supporter of the Incorporation and a woman of admirable enthusiasm and integrity who is a great advocate for architecture. “

Linda Fabiani MSP told delegates at the RIAS Convention she was, “very moved” by the award of Fellowship and assured them, “I see a bright future for Scottish architects and Scotland on the international stage.”

The full text of the Honorary Fellowship citation for Linda Fabiani MSP, read by Neil Baxter, RIAS Secretary and Treasurer, follows:
“Honorary Fellowship – Linda Fabiani – Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland since 1999. Linda Fabiani (born 14 December 1956) was, until recently, the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, a portfolio which included the architectural remit.

Linda Fabiani was unusual as a Minister of Architecture in that her background in the housing association gave her a very particular understanding of how high quality architectural design can contribute to the health of communities.

Linda Fabiani has continuously supported community arts organisations and worked to promote the traditional arts of Scotland. She has also participated in many cultural initiatives crossing international borders, indeed her work promoting Scottish/Italian cultural links was recognised in March 2007 when she was made Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity by the Italian government.

Before the 2007 election, Linda served as Convener of the European and External Relations Committee in the Scottish Parliament. This role garnered the respect of both MSPs and MEPs for the drive and direction she brought to the Committee. Beyond Europe, her interest in International Development has extended to her role as an observer at the East Timor Independence Referendum and work on democracy building in Malawi, Tanzania and Peru. It is an indication of Linda’s personal commitment to international development and aid that she has personally supported a number of refugee children.

During her tenure of her Ministerial role, Linda Fabiani brought a particular focus on architecture and dedicated significant effort to the Incorporation, including participation in RIAS Cross-party meetings and personally supporting the Andrew Doolan Award and presiding at the 2008 Awards in the Scottish Parliament. She also met with senior office bearers of the Incorporation on several occasions, recognising the Incorporation’s autonomy and its crucial role as the Membership organisation for Scotland’s architects. Given the breadth of her cultural remit, Linda’s contribution of time and consideration to the Incorporation was impressive.

Her breadth of understanding, real commitment and seemingly endless energy, all good things in a politician, have already served the Incorporation well. Hopefully as an Honorary Fellow she will continue that support. Linda Fabiani is awarded her Honorary Fellowship for services to Scottish Political life and culture.”

REMEMBER TO VOTE
Local Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani, is reminding people that an election will be taking place in just over three weeks time when on 4th June, elections to the European Parliament take place.

Ms Fabiani is encouraging people to use their vote, in what has traditionally been an election with a low turn-out and, highlighting that postal and proxy votes are a convenient way in which to participate in the election.

Ms Fabiani said:

“European elections tend to be ignored by large numbers of electors as the European Parliament does not receive a high profile within our media, however, it does play an extremely important role in all our lives because a great deal of our own parliamentary legislation stems directly from legislation passed in Brussels.

“An easy and convenient way in which to participate in the election is to use a postal or proxy vote, this is particularly helpful for people who may be on holiday on the day of the poll. Anyone can register for a postal or proxy vote rather than turn up at the polling station.

“To be eligible to vote in this poll you must be registered by 19th May; this is also the final registration date for a postal vote. Those wishing to vote by post can download a form from the website of the Lanarkshire Valuation Joint Board or contact them by telephone. Arrangements to register a proxy voter can be made up until the 27th May.”

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Notes:

Anyone wishing to register to vote or apply for postal or proxy voting should contact the Lanarkshire Valuation Joint Board at:

Email: www.lanarkshire-vjb.gov.uk
Tel: 01698 476000

Strathaven-based MSP, Linda Fabiani, met with dairy farmers – including East Kilbride farmer, Doris Robertson – to listen to their concerns about the impact of falling milk prices on the future of Scottish dairy farming. The farmers – and some dairy calves – were lobbying the Scottish Parliament to highlight the fact that the price that they receive for their milk has fallen by 20 per cent since the start of 2009.

Ms Fabiani said:
“The price of milk and cheese in our supermarkets is rising and so is consumption but not only are the farmers not benefiting from those increased margins, they are actually receiving lower returns. Scottish dairy farmers provide a high quality product and they deserve a fair deal from the supermarkets.”

Linda spoke in the debate on 30 April 2009.

“The chancellor’s estimate of UK Government borrowing in 2009-10 is £175 billion. The recent economic projections of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimate that in 2010 the UK’s gross public debt, which is one of the Maastricht criteria, will be 66 per cent of GDP—double that of Finland and 20 per cent higher than that of Ireland. The OECD’s projections also show nations’ financial liabilities…

Sadly, the UK is again way out on its own, running net financial liabilities of 43 per cent of GDP in 2010. I find it interesting that small, independent Norway is offering money to the IMF while Peter Mandelson is preparing the UK to go, cap in hand, to ask for funds.

The stark figures that I have given can be illustrated for Scotland in the budget cuts that are now being imposed. In the chancellor’s budget, there was confirmation that £500 million of cuts will be made to the Scottish budget next year and beyond. All serious commentators are clear—a cut in public services is being imposed by the Westminster Government.”

Read the full text of Linda’s speech at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0430-02.htm#Col17015

Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani is urging men to play a greater role when it comes to tackling violence against women.

Ms Fabiani expressed her support for the White Ribbon Scotland campaign as it launched a new interactive website (www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk) to enable Scottish men to take a stand against violence against women.

White Ribbon Scotland is part of an international movement that encourages men’s involvement in stopping violence against women. Supporting organisations include Amnesty International, Men’s Health Forum Scotland, Rape Crisis Scotland, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and Zero Tolerance.

The new interactive website, recently launched at the Scottish Trade Union Congress, enables men to sign up to the White Ribbon Pledge “not to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women” and to leave messages and upload pictures of themselves wearing a campaign white ribbon. It also provides links, resources and ideas to enable men to take action.

Ms Fabiani said:

“This is a subject that is too often hidden away from the public and from family, friends and neighbours. It is a difficult matter for victims to speak out-on and so it often continues without the perpetrators being challenged.

“That is why I welcome a campaign that asks men themselves to speak out against such violence and state publicly that such violence is wrong.

“Having men challenge this violence can send out the message that violence against women by men is completely unacceptable and that women are not objects of abuse.

“Violence against women is not just a female matter it is a male matter and the more men that speak out against it the more it can be challenged within society.

“Men can help this campaign by visiting the White Ribbon website at www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk and adding their support for an end to violence against women.”

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Notes:

1) White Ribbon Scotland is one of over 40 national White Ribbon campaigns working with men around the world.

2) In a survey for Amnesty International, over 1 in 4 respondents thought a women was partially or totally responsible for being raped if she was wearing sexy or revealing clothing, and more than 1 in 5 held the same view if a woman had had many sexual partners. Focus groups of non-violent men, also carried out by Amnesty, found a strong reluctance to see violence against women as something of concern to them but did identify ways in which men could be brought to relate to the issue.

3) In addition to providing online access to the White Ribbon Pledge, the website contains a wealth of information about violence against women, suggestions for actions men can take and answers to frequently asked questions such as “what about violence against men?.

Starthaven based MSP Linda Fabiani, has called on East Kilbride MP Adam Ingram to disclose just much time he spends working on his five other jobs outside of his parliamentary work.

Ms Fabiani’s comments come after the decision by the London government to finally disclose how much time MPs spend working outside parliament in secondary jobs and how much they earn.

The SNP MSP commented:

“This is the first time that the public will get to see just how much paid work MPs are undertaking outside of their parliamentary duties. This is long overdue and is something that no politician should try to hide.

“Since the inception of the Scottish Parliament it has been amongst the most open and transparent of any parliament in the world – while MPs have continued to treat Westminster like it is a private club.

“MPs expenses are public property as are the MPs themselves and they should not hide away from public scrutiny.

“However, the expenses details are not due to be released until July and I see no reason why Adam Ingram MP should not disclose at this time to the electorate in East Kilbride just how much time he spends on jobs that have no bearing on his parliamentary work.

“Mr Ingram recently revealed he earns £170,000 from five other jobs at a time when many of his constituents are struggling to keep just one job.

“So why wait until July to tell everyone how that money is earned when he could come clean with it now.

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Notes:

MPs are preparing to declare for the first time how many hours they work outside Westminster, and for exactly how much money, after the House of Commons agreed plans put forward by Gordon Brown, to force all MPs to publish full details of their outside earnings.

Limited details of positions held outside the Commons are included in the Register of Members’ Interests.