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Voluntary groups welcome Brown’s promise of consensus politics
A promise by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to introduce a new type of politics
has been welcomed by the Irish voluntary sector operating in Britain.
The move came following a recent meeting with members of the National
Council of Voluntary Organisations in London.
In his speech the Prime Minister outlined a bigger role for voluntary
groups and those helping society for the better.
He said: “I want the voluntary and community sector to become more
involved in an even wider range of community action and service provision.
“And I want us to ensure that both central and local government
respects and supports your advocacy and campaigning role, which plays
such an important part in making social change happen in our society.
“We have proposed in our Local Government White Paper a new duty
to consult and involve local people in policy development, which will
include working with the voluntary sector.”
Operations Manager for the Federations of Irish Societies John McDonagh
welcomed the Prime Minister’s latest plans in expanding the work
of the voluntary sector in the everyday workings of society.
He said: “It is great that the Government understands, appreciates
and values the work of the voluntary and charitable sector.
“The Government is keen to encourage discussion, debate and dialogue
and ready to embrace new ideas.
“The Federation is encouraged and delighted that all its robust
representation over the years is now very much at the forefront of government
thinking, particularly in the areas that concern the Irish community in
Britain such as health and the elderly.
“It was also very pleasing that the Irish were represented in the
invited audience at the Prime Minister’s speech.” |
