MP Congratulates Award-Winning Sea Cadets at House of Commons

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford today hosted a visit to the House of Commons by Peterhead Sea Cadets, recent winners of the Stephenson Trophy for the top Sea Cadet Unit in the Northern Area (Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland). This is the fifth time the Unit has won the prestigious trophy in the last ten years.

In addition, one of the Peterhead cadets, Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan, has received the accolade of Navy Board Cadet in the Northern Area, one of the top cadets in 2013.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP
with Scotland’s top sea cadet,
Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan, and
Officer-in-Charge Sub-Lieutenant John Bowman
(both of Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit)

To mark these awards, Dr Whiteford invited Hannah and Peterhead Sea Cadets Officer-in-Charge, Sub-Lieutenant John Bowman, to visit the House of Commons and attend Prime Minister’s Question Time.

Dr Whiteford also sponsored an Early Day Motion, published today, congratulating the Peterhead Sea Cadets on their recent success and commending the work of the organisation in connecting young people to their maritime heritage and building practical life skills.

Speaking at the House of Commons, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I’m delighted to be able to mark the achievements of the Peterhead Unit at Westminster today. I have been able to spend time with Hannah and John and hear about their activities and the big part Sea Cadets play in their lives and that of the community.

“This is the second occasion during my time as an MP that the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit have won the Stephenson Trophy – and the fifth time in ten years. “This success is a testament to the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit and their leaders. Peterhead can be justly proud of these young people.”

During their visit Hannah and John were also shown around the Houses of Parliament by Dr Whiteford and visited Sea Cadets’ Head Office before attending a reception for Highland and Lowland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations, held in Parliament.

Text of Early Day Motion Published today:

Early Day Motion 983 : PETERHEAD SEA CADETS

That this House congratulates Peterhead Sea Cadets on being awarded the Stephenson Trophy as the top sea cadet unit in the Northern Area (Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland) for the fifth time in 10 years; further congratulates Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan for her appointment as a Navy Board cadet; welcomes all cadets visiting Westminster on 30 January 2013; and commends the work of the sea cadets for connecting young people to their maritime heritage and building practical life skills through its activities.

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Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP Comments on Inquiry into Electoral Conduct

The Chairman of the Westminster All-Party Parliamentary group against anti-semitism, John Mann MP, has today [Tuesday 29th January] announced an All-Party inquiry into electoral conduct in the UK.

The purpose of the inquiry is to investigate the management of elections, with a specific interest in charges of misconduct during elections with a focus on racism and discrimination.

The inquiry to be chaired by the backbench business committee chair Natascha Engel MP and will include the Scottish National Party MP for Banff and Buchan, Dr Eilidh Whiteford, who is the only Scottish MP invited to sit on the inquiry. Commenting on her membership, Dr Whiteford said :

“This is an important opportunity to ensure that racism and discrimination have no place in our electoral system and I hope we can use the inquiry to build a consensus across society on how to achieve that aim."

The inquiry is seeking written submissions from interested parties by 29 March 2013. Oral evidence sessions, located in Parliament, will begin in April 2013 and a report will be published in the summer.

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Local MP Stands up to Prejudice by Signing Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment

This week Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Sunday January 27th will mark the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history. In the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust and encouraging constituents to work together to combat prejudice and racism today.

In signing the Book of Commitment, Dr Whiteford paid tribute to those who perished during the Holocaust and honoured the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.

In the weeks leading up to and after Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will also be encouraged to honour those communities that have been destroyed by genocide and reflect on the importance of coming together to oppose prejudice and hatred.

Commenting, Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to join members of community in the fight against prejudice and intolerance.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

“We are proud that Eilidh is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of hatred and bigotry.”

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MP Congratulates Peterhead Sea Scouts on Top Award

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has congratulated Peterhead Sea Cadets on being awarded the Stephenson Trophy as the top Sea Cadet Unit in the Northern Area (Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland).

In addition, one of the Peterhead cadets, Petty Officer Cadet Hannah Strachan, has received the accolade of top sea cadet in the Northern Area.

Eilidh was in attendance at the awards ceremony at the TS Caledonia in Peterhead’s Seagate on Friday evening when newly appointed Area Officer, Captain Peter Adams RN, presented the Stephenson Trophy.

Speaking after the event, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

“I’m delighted for the young people involved in Peterhead Sea Cadets and send them my congratulations on their achievement.

“This was the second occasion during my time as an MP that the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit have won the Stephenson Trophy, competing against all other sea cadet units in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England, so this is a major accolade.

“This success is a testament to the Peterhead Sea Cadet Unit and their leaders and the town can be justly proud of these young people.”

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