Press Release
April 8th 2010
LANARKSHIRE LABOUR BANK ON OWEN
Local Labour politicians have added their support to a national campaign to commemorate New Lanark founder Robert Owen on Scottish banknotes.
Clydesdale MSP Karen Gillon and Lanark and Hamilton East MP Jim Hood, whose constituencies both include the World Heritage Site of New Lanark, have added their support to the Bank on Owen petition.
The petition calls on the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Bank of Scotland and the Clydesdale Bank to recognise the achievements of Robert Owen by commemorating him on bank notes.
Clydesdale MSP Karen Gillon said:
“The contributions which Robert Owen made to life in Scotland should not be underestimated. This is a man who introduced childcare to this country, championed the value of education and introduced favourable working conditions that were virtually unheard of at the time.
“All of these achievements not only enriched the quality of life for those under Owen’s care but also resulted in a thriving and commercially successful business model.
“Given the current woes facing our economy we would do well to learn from Owen’s cooperative principles and I think that it would be a fitting tribute to his work if he were to be commemorated on banknotes.
Adding his support to the campaign, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Jim Hood said:
“People across Lanarkshire are rightly proud of the legacy which Robert Owen’s work has created and the World Heritage Site at New Lanark remains a major draw for locals and tourists alike.
“I believe that Robert Owen deserves recognition for his contribution to Scottish society and being placed alongside the other notable Scots which currently grace our banknotes would be a good start.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
The petition can be accessed online from:
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/bank-on-owen.html
A Facebook group has also been set up and is available from:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=ss&gid=372167091433
The Bank on Owen petition aims to highlight the achievements of Robert Owen by campaigning to have him commemorated on Scottish banknotes in time for the International Year of the Co-operative in 2012.
Robert Owen is respected across the globe for embodying the principle of co-operation, and for putting people before profit.
He should also be recognised for his contribution to the development of the New Lanark community, a pioneering model of good working relations which remains an enduring example to society.
For further information about Robert Owen, visit http://www.robert-owen.com