MSP Christina promotes new Ken Loach movie
Politician urges constituents to watch the new drama
Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina Mckelvie has appeared in a promotional video for acclaimed movie I, Daniel Blake.
The Youtube clip also features politicians Jeremy Corbyn, Kezia Dugdale and Mhairi Black.
From award-winning director Ken Loach, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it scooped the prestigious Palme d’or award.
It centres on a middle-aged widower in the North East of England who can’t work or get benefits after a near-fatal heart attack. He strikes up a friendship with young single mother Katie and the two try to work their way through the benefits system.
Christina says the circumstances are all too familiar and equally frustrating.
She said: “I see Daniel Blake every day of my life – in shops, in my surgeries, on the street – trying to steer through a system that seems unwilling to treat them with compassion, fairness or dignity.
“This is an incredibly personal yet universal account of one person’s journey through the Conservative Government’s welfare programme. The reality for many is that, as a result of the welfare reforms, the road back into work, even for those fit enough to follow it, is littered with degradation and humiliation.
“We have the power to be different. When the Scottish Government acquires the means to create our own social security system, we will do so with fairness, dignity and respect at its core.
“Once we have the ability to act for ourselves, this Scottish Government will build a system that features no more Daniel Blake’s. Our mission will be to offer the care and support that people trying to get back to work really need.
“For those who are unable to work we can and will provide a benefits system that treats people with the care and compassion they deserve.”
She added: “I would encourage everyone in the Hamilton area to go and see this film and judge for themselves. Most of us will quickly recognise either ourselves or someone we know who is living the Westminster Tories’ idea of ‘welfare.’
“There are a number of present and past Cabinet Secretaries in London who would learn a lot from this film.”
Watch the video on our website or Facebook page.