samedi, septembre 01, 2018

Scottish Independence: Journey to Yes #21: Ashley Graczyk (Phantom Power video)


Phantom Power | Ajoutée le 1 sept. 2018
Journey to Yes #21: Ashley Graczyk

Ashley says Yes. Ashley Graczyk serves the Sighthill and Gorgie Ward and is Edinburgh’s first profoundly deaf Councillor. Ashley’s experience fuelled her interest in disability rights and then politics as Ashley was swept up in Scotland’s independence debate during which she campaigned for No and the status quo. Ashley’s interest in politics continued and she went on to win the Sighthill and Gorgie Ward in 2017 as a Scottish Conservative hoping to influence policies affecting the most vulnerable. 

Life as a councillor opened Ashley’s eyes to the human impact of her own party’s policies and she was disgusted by attempts to cut vital political and employment support - the Access to Elected Office Fund as well as Access to Work. The Conservatives treatment of Scotland during the Brexit process provided further revelation and left Ashley with no choice but to resign in 2018. Ashley reflects on life as part of, and after, the Scottish Conservatives. Creating a truly progressive Scotland within the British union apparatus is impossible. The political landscape has shifted to reveal a new path.
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