Monday, 27th April 2009
Euro MP calls on elderly in Scotland to vote in the European elections
Scots Tory MEP, Struan Stevenson today (Monday 27th April) opened Renaissance at Glencairn, a new retirement residence in Edinburgh.
Speaking at the opening of Renaissance at Glencairn, a residence for those over 70 but who still wish to retain an active lifestyle, Mr Stevenson took the opportunity to remind local residents of the importance of voting in the European elections on 4th June this year.
The unveiling of a brass plaque by Mr Stevenson, marked the launch of the Renaissance at Glencairn’s intensive marketing campaign to attract new residents. The property has undergone a £2 million redevelopment and aims to create 30 new jobs in the area. Furthermore, it hopes to boost the economy by using local goods and services, including local florists.
At the opening, Struan unveiled a brass plaque, saying:
“The opening of Renaissance at Glencairn is a fantastic boost to Edinburgh. There are a great many residential homes in Scotland which provide an important service to a large number of our elderly population, but this is a completely new direction in state-of-the-art residential homes and I am proud to have been asked to perform the opening ceremony.
“There are 10 million people over 65 in the UK right now and this is set to increase by 50% in the next 20 years. We have an increasingly ageing population in Scotland and indeed in other parts of Europe and this demographic trend means that our government and governments throughout the EU, have more difficult and challenging issues to address. For that reason and many others, it is of vital importance that elderly citizens cast their vote in the European elections on 4th June. For those staying in residential homes, applications for postal votes can still be made.
“My congratulations to the Renaissance at Glencairn and my best wishes for the future. The fact that 30 new jobs will be created by the opening of this residential home during the depths of a recession is the best possible news that Edinburgh could hope for.”
