Election a chance to affect issues that matter

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the East Kilbride News.

Tomorrow we head to the polling booths to elect the new South Lanarkshire Council administration.

After all the talking and campaigning of the past few months, it is now time for the voting. The people will have their say.

Last week’s Editor’s note called on our readers never to take having the right to vote for granted.

Your correspondent makes no apologies for repeating that call here.

Yes, it feels like we are living in a turbulent time politically.

And yes – many of you just want those elected to “get on with the job”.

That’s fair enough. We all lead busy lives and juggle work commitments with family ones while worried about making sure the bills are paid.

But we must, as a populace, engage in the political process – and one of those occasions is tomorrow.

Council elections matter because these are the bread-and-butter local issues which get folk’s dander up.

Bin collections. Potholes. Community halls and buildings. Planning issues. Leisure facilities. Dog fouling. Helping the young, elderly and vulnerable.

This election is not about Brexit or independence.

This election is about YOU and YOUR family, neighbours and community.

This election is about installing candidates whose first and last priority will be the people in the ward in which they will serve.

We have given every candidate, whether affiliated to a party or an independent, a chance to make their pitch in the last three weeks.

On pages 4 and 5 today, the parties state their case.

Make sure you vote tomorrow.