The National Conversation – Glasgow style

Alex Salmond and his Scottish Government Cabinet were put through their paces on Tuesday 1 September at Molendinar Community Centre, on Royston Road, where local people were given the opportunity to raise the issues that affected their lives.
The politicians were on duty as part of the National Conversation, and fielded a flurry of questions on everything from the release of Megrahi to the safety of our streets to the recession.
There were many young people in the 200 strong audience who wanted to know what the constitutional and political future holds for them.
Josh Conway, 16, from Smithycroft Secondary School, enjoyed the event claiming it might help him pass an exam! He said: ‘We are studying devolution in Modern Studies just now so. It’s been great to hear the politicians speaking at the National Conversation. My plan is to join the police force. It’s more competitive to get in now, due to the recession, so you have to be the best.’
Andrew Dearie, 16, a promising sports star is also a pupil at Smithycroft Secondary and was in the audience at what was the best attended, National Conversation so far. He said: ‘It was really powerful to hear the responses to the questions put to the Scottish Cabinet.’ With a choice between a sports and psychology degree at Glasgow University and training in Arizona in the United States with British athlete, Andrew Lemoncello, talented Andrew said: ‘I do not really fear the recession. Having listened to the Cabinet, today, I believe that if we do get independence, or at least get more devolved powers; then things will become much better.’
The next National Conversation event will be in Paisley on Monday 14 September and is part of a two year long series.