This video is courtesy of the BBC. The extract is from an episode of ‘The Politics Show’ originally broadcast 07/03/10 on BBC One.

“There is a real danger now that the biggest fallout from the credit crisis is the creation of a lost generation of young people who never make the transition from school, college or university into work…

There is no doubt about it: unemployment hurts. Bankers focused on their bonuses should stop and think: where will the productive workers of tomorrow come from if we don’t look after the skill levels of the future workforce today?”

You can see the full speech here:

This video is courtesy of the BBC. The extract was recorded during the Preventing the Creation of a Lost Generation debate at the Scottish Liberal Democrat conference, Perth, from 10.50-11.35 on Saturday 6th March ‘10.

Katy’s challenge to Gordon Brown, at the time of writing, remains unanswered.

You can listen to the full podcast here.

MPs, MSPs and delegates at last weekend’s Liberal Democrat Scottish Conference have backed the local community’s fight to save the lane.

Alistair Carmichael MP, Charles Kennedy MP and Hugh O’Donnell MSP have already been to the lane in person to give their support, as well as Scottish Lib Dem Leader Tavish Scott.

Alistair Carmichael MP, Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, said:

“Over 20 years ago, when I was a student at Glasgow University, I spent countless enjoyable hours browsing through the treasures of Voltair and Rousseau bookshop in Otago Lane. I well understand the outrage of local residents at the threat to this iconic West End lane posed by such an inappropriate development. Glasgow City Council should act to support character of the West End by refusing planning permission for this development rather than contributing to the destruction of what makes this part of the City special.”

Alison McInnes MSP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Local Government, said:

“I congratulate Katy Gordon and the Save Otago Lane campaigners for their sterling efforts to protect a unique part of Glasgow’s West End. The planning reform Liberal Democrats introduced when we were in govenrment in Holyrood was specifically designed to give greater weight to the local plan, such as the council’s Glasgow City Plan, and a greater weight to community opinion.

It’s clear that the local community doesn’t want this overdevelopment and wants Glasgow City Council to stick to the principles set out in its own City Plan. The council and the developers must listen to what local people are telling them and abandon this overdevelopment.”

Katy was delighted to sign the NUS pledge asking all MPs and candidates to promise to vote against any increases in university fees, and to fight for a fairer alternative for students.

The Lib Dems are the ONLY mainstream party committed to abolishing tuition fees across the UK, to bring the rest of the country in line with our achievements in Scotland while in government in Holyrood.

At this weekend’s Scottish Liberal Democrat party conference Katy successfully proposed a motion at this weekend’s  which provides clear, practical steps to ensure that Scotland’s young people do not become ‘the lost generation’ in the labour market. The motion was passed unanimously.

Despite the government’s claims that the economy is gradually showing signs of recovery, unemployment continues to rise for young people, with over a third of unemployed people under the age of 25.

Speaking at conference in Perth, Katy said:

“There is a real danger now that the biggest fallout from the credit crisis is the creation of a lost generation of young people who never make the transition from school, college or university into work…

There is no doubt about it: unemployment hurts. Bankers focused on their bonuses should stop and think: where will the productive workers of tomorrow come from if we don’t look after the skill levels of the future workforce today?”

The Liberal Democrats want to create a fairer society, where every child gets a fair start.  That includes a fair start in the job market.  This means giving young people meaningful employment experiences, whether through paid internships, a faster route into apprenticeships or access to practical, personal development programmes.

The  campaign is going from strength to strength – in the last week, Scottish Lib Dem Leader Tavish Scott and Charles Kennedy MP have both come to Otago Lane to give their support.

The ‘Leave Our Lane Alane!’ protest on Saturday was a great success, with a huge crowd turning out despite the nasty weather, and responses to Katy’s appeal for objection letters are continuing to pour in.

There is still time to write to the council to object to this ridiculous development. Go to www.saveotagolane.co.uk to find out how you can help.

On Tuesday, Scottish Lib Dem Leader Tavish Scott joined Katy outside Tchai-Ovna tea house for a taste of what things might be like if the proposed housing development on Otago Lane goes ahead.

They had tea with Martin Fell, owner of Tchai-Ovna, out in the freezing February wind. If the building work gets the green light, the businesses along the lane will be in real jeopardy, leaving Tchai-Ovna’s customers out in the cold. Tavish commented:

‘Otago Lane and the businesses there are  vital and historic part of the community. It would be a real shame if the redevelopment were to go ahead as currently planned.’
‘Katy Gordon is a fantastic local campaigner and she continues to work very closely with the Save Otago Lane Campaign.’

You can read more about the campaign to save Otago Lane in today’s Evening Times. Also, this Saturday at 12 noon there will be a protest in Otago Lane – bring your friends, and if you can, bring a ‘Leave Our Lane A Lane!’ banner. You can find out more on the campaign’s Facebook page.

In the understatement of the year, the sitting MP  ‘expects real challenge from the Liberal Democrats’.

“I believe Glasgow needs a change and a party that sets out a clear, credible alternative to Labour.  I have watched Katy Gordon work tirelessly on behalf of local people in Glasgow North.  Whether saving post offices, supporting efforts to stop a nightclub in the Botanics or campaigning to stop school closures, she never stops working to get things done.

Leaving the SNP after 31 years hasn’t been easy.  But the SNP has shown it simply doesn’t trust its councillors, preferring instead to govern local communities by ministerial decree, so I know it’s the right thing to do.

Over the next few months I will be working as hard as I can to persuade local people that Katy is the right choice as MP for Glasgow North.  The sooner we chuck out Labour and replace the sitting MP with Katy Gordon, the better for the people of Glasgow North.”

Katy added:

“I am delighted to welcome Alex into the Liberal Democrats.  I have known him for many years and respect him as an effective local councillor.  I think Alex’s decision is a strong endorsement of our key message to voters in Glasgow North: only the Liberal Democrats can stand up for local people effectively at Westminster.  We can stop Labour taking residents for granted if disillusioned voters replace tired Labour with a new, Liberal Democrat MP.”