New MP Logan puts spotlight on WASPI women and child poverty in maiden speech
NEW Aberdeenshire North and Moray East (ANME) MP Seamus Logan has targeted child poverty and justice for the WASPI women in his maiden speech.
Mr Logan spoke in the debate following the King’s speech on Wednesday, July 18.
He took the opportunity to state that the WASPI women had been let down by successive Westminster governments, going on to point to what he said was the scourge of child poverty in his constituency. He said it was something latest statistics suggest affect 5500 children in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
Speaking in the chamber, he said: “[ANME] is an area noted for its industry, and the industriousness of its communities.
”Its long standing economic strengths are in farming, fishing and associated sectors, including food and drink production, and in more recent times with the oil and gas industries and their supply chain.
”The area makes a substantial and significant contribution to the nation’s energy security and food security.
”We are now undergoing a new industrial revolution associated with the renewables sector as the world adapts to new challenges. I believe it is our duty during this parliament to capitalise upon the opportunities that now present themselves in the north-east of Scotland.
”It is also a most beautiful area, something of an undiscovered gem, with a developing tourism industry.
”Members will remember that the next time they enjoy a single malt, an Aberdeen Angus steak, a prawn cocktail or a fish supper, the chances are that it came from industries based in my constituency.
”But there is also significant poverty in this otherwise prosperous area, in particular child poverty. While this is most concentrated in larger towns, it is also a challenge in villages and rural areas where it is often less visible.
”Recent figures suggest around 5,500 children in this constituency are living in serious poverty.
”That is something we should all remember in our position of privilege, and work to change.
Mr Logan also took the opportunity to pay tribute to his predecessors in the former Banff and Buchan constituency, David Duguid and Eilidh Whiteford, and also wished Mr Duguid a “speedy and full recovery” from his illness.
He continued: “I want to pay tribute to the outgoing MP, David Duguid, who represented the previous Banff and Buchan constituency which disappeared in the recent boundary changes.
”Some of you will know that David experienced sudden and significant ill-health before the general election was called. I wish him a speedy and full recovery.
”David was an excellent MP who did his best to represent everyone but most notably the interests of the energy, fishing and farming industries.
”I wish David and his family well in whatever their future plans may involve.
”I also wish to acknowledge the work of the last SNP MP in this area, Eilidh Whiteford who was an outstanding political representative.”
Mr Logan went on to lambast the new Labour government for failing to include a commitment in the King’s speech to abolish the controversial two child policy on child benefit and rape clause, hailing the work of outgoing MP for Glasgow Central Alison Thewliss to end.
He said: “The failure to do so [end the policy] is an early indictment of their policy position.
”It is simply not good enough for the people of Scotland, an energy rich nation, to pay so much to heat their homes while so many of their bairns are living in absolute poverty.
”I will focus on this issue over the course of this parliament.
”I will seek to defend the interests of our farming and fishing industries, to protect our public services and to help realise the potential of renewable energy and carbon capture to deliver jobs and economic growth.
”But above all, I will be a voice for the weak and the disadvantaged - after 14 years of austerity, we need a change of direction, not more of the same.
”I want to make special mention of the WASPI women who have been so unfairly treated by successive governments, and who deserve compensation.
”In conclusion Mr Speaker, I thank the people of my constituency for their support at the ballot box and I want to thank my colleagues in the SNP, and in other parties and the various staff members here on the Westminster estate who have been so welcoming and helpful on my arrival and during my induction.
”Finally I will be working hard in this place and elsewhere to press the case for the people of Scotland to be afforded their democratic rights to determine their own future.”
Mr Logan won the Aberdeenshire East and Moray East with a total of 13,455 votes, seeing of the challenge of outgoing Scottish Conservative leader and former Moray MP Douglas Ross on 12,513.
