Old faces ready for new battle
Former Labour party colleagues to clash
There will be an interesting battle for the East Kilbride East seat.
John Cairney, who has held his seat for the past 10 years, has left the Labour Party and is battling to retain his council position as an independent.
Graham Scott will now stand for Labour – and boasts 17 years of experience previously as a councillor before being ousted at the last election.
Mr Cairney states he has been devoted to his area and will continue this work.
“For 10 years I’ve worked diligently as an East Kilbride East councillor,” he said.
“Within this time I’ve held three surgeries each month, helped through daily phone calls and dealt with constant inbound emails.
“This has given me invaluable insights into constituent needs and I’ve taken the decision to stand independently to further support this community since the Labour Party replaced me, for no apparent reason, with a former councillor who lost in the last election.
“I’ve been heavily involved in rebuilding the five local schools in the area and, if re-elected, I will continue to support teacher, parent and pupil interests.
“I will fight on for the construction of homes for rent and to protect the social care budget, both of which are essential for the community.
“Lastly, I will fight hard to ensure the roads improvement budget is renewed for the next five years.”
Mr Scott vowed to focus on the day-to-day running of South Lanarkshire Council and is against a second independence referendum.
“Under this centralising SNP Government, one thing is clear, public services are under severe strain.
“Austerity is not just something that the Tories impose on communities, it is also the reality of nationalist politicians who forget about the day job the minute they are elected.
“That is why I am putting myself forward for election.
“There are too many parts of East Kilbride that are neglected and require urgent attention. Your councillors in this area have not been doing their duty.
“Change is needed and I believe I can provide a strong Labour voice for East Kilbride East.
“I am asking you to make me your number one choice so that you can send a message to Nicola Sturgeon that local services matter. My day job will be looking after your best interests.
“I am committed to community and dedicated to progress.”
East Kilbride East SNP candidates Jim Wardhaugh and Gladys Miller are aiming to retain their seats.
They state that they have been working hard in the community, addressing problems for constituents and at the same time trying to lever council budgets to address regeneration in the area – with a focus on Calderglen Park.
Ms Miller said: “We will ensure that constituents of East Kilbride East have a say in the one per cent of the council budget pledged to our ward.
“Local residents know best what is needed in their place and must have meaningful input to decisions about their area.
“Calderglen Country Park, or ‘The Glen’ as it is known locally, is a wonderful example of what the area has to offer.
“However, the neglected paths and safety fences have eroded over the years and reduced access to many areas of historical interest.”
Mr Wardhaugh continued: “A number of years ago a community group (Save Calderglen Park) managed to stop the sale of part of the park for private housing but what is needed now is capital expenditure to restore this magnificent park to its former glory.”
Isabel Perratt will be standing for the Conservatives and feels it would be a “privilege” to serve the area she has always lived in.
However, she admits areas like public transport need to be improved.
“East Kilbride has seen many changes over the years and has grown out of all recognition to the place I grew up in,” she said.
“We need to make sure that if it grows further then we have the infrastructure to go with it.
“For example, our train service can barely cope right now, let alone if thousands more houses are built here.
“We need some joined-up thinking from the council and others.
“Voters have been telling me how sick they are of the SNP government and its obsession with independence.
“They are meant to be a government but they are failing to sort out education, health and Scotland’s economy.
“And they have starved local government of cash – leading to poorer services.”
Kirsten Robb will stand for the Green Party – and has a track record of being involved with a number of local projects.
She has set her priority as tackling poverty in town.
“I know that your council services matter,” she said.
“That’s why I am asking you for your first preference vote to give me the chance of serving as your councillor.
“I will prioritise building desperately needed social housing.
“I’ll campaign for the council to introduce private sector rent controls to help people struggling right now.
“I’ll speak up to support local businesses and ensure that care workers get a Living Wage Plus of £9.20 an hour, all helping to tackle local poverty.
“I will also fight for investment in green spaces to boost health and wellbeing.
“People know that I listen and care. I’m also persistent and won’t be fobbed off.
“I will hold the council to account and always remember that I’m accountable to you.”
Local residents know best what is needed in their place