Douglas Alexander MP

Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South

Paisley Daily Express Column - 28 Oct 2009

QUESTION TIME AT ST DAVID’S

Last week it seemed everyone was talking about the BBC’s decision to have the BNP represented on Question Time. Yet on Friday I was taking part in a Question Time of a different kind.

I went to the new shared campus in West Johnstone that is home to both St David’s and Cochrane Castle Primary School. It was an inspirational visit. The children were bright, inquisitive, polite and interested – a real credit to their teachers and their parents. We ended up talking about everything from the size of the Chamber of the House of Commons to who they thought would win the X-Factor!

To see children learning in such outstanding facilities reminded me of how worthwhile has been the efforts over the last decade to get more investment in to our local schools here in Renfrewshire. It is a learning campus worthy of our strong local community.

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

Last week, I shared a platform with Judith Robertson, the Head of Oxfam, Scotland and Stephen Boyd, Assistant Secretary of the STUC at a public meeting in Paisley.

The meeting was to discuss the global financial and climate crisis – which threatens the livelihoods and lives of people across the world.

It was a worthwhile and lively debate – and on one point there was agreement: the world needs to come together in just a few weeks time to agree a global del on Carbon at key discussions in Copenhagen. As our Paisley meeting reflected, literally the future of our planet is at stake.

OAP HELPLINE

In the last few weeks I have received a range of requests from elderly constituents who need advice or help with a practical issue, ranging from claiming their heating allowance to pensions.

I am always happy to do what I can to help. I welcome a new helpline specifically for older people that they can call for advice.

The Scottish Helpline for Older People can offer advice and support on a wide range of issues including community care, tax and benefits.

I know that many local residents here in Renfrewshire have already made use of the helpline for a range of different matters concerning them.

The helpline is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and the number is 0845 125 9732.

HARTSON’S GOAL IS VITAL

Former Celtic footballer John Hartson this week warned men who find a lump in their testicles to go straight to their doctor.

His goal is to help other people: The brave sportsman decided to speak out after he failed to act after finding a cancerous lump himself.

The cancer then spread to his brain and lungs and Mr Hartson is still having chemotherapy and operations to try and beat the cancer.

The symptoms of testicular cancer can sometimes be ignored by men, according to doctors, because they may be too embarrassed to address the issue or hope that it will simply go away on its own.

The danger is that whilst the cancer is relatively easy to treat if it is caught in the earlier stages, when it begins to spread it can be far more difficult to treat, and can even be fatal.

As a Scottish man I understand as much as anyone, the inhibitions about talking about testicular cancer, or indeed of taking action, but we should all listen to John Hartson’s message. It could save your life.