From new jobs to help with housing ... it has been an honour to serve
MSP Richard Lyle recalls a political career spanning 45 years
As Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Richard Lyle announces his retirement, the longest-serving SNP politician reflects fondly on his eventful career.
Richard, now 70, has served local communities for almost 45 years as a councillor and MSP, but has decided now is the time to step down and allow a new candidate to stand in next year’s Holyrood election.
The local representative admits his tenure has been full of ups and downs – but stands proudly looking back at successes including housing over 5000 people and making history as the first ever SNP councillor in Bellshill and the youngest councillor on Motherwell District Council when first elected in 1977.
But it was much earlier that Richard laid the foundations of his political life – joining the SNP Uddingston branch in 1966 at the age of 16, his first years spent delivering leaflets and talking to people during campaigns before going from membership secretary to organiser and eventually branch convener, a post he held for many years.
A 1976 by-election first saw Richard voted in. From there, he tackled many housing issues, including modernisation plans, and representing local people.
It was in 2011 that Richard was elected to the Scottish Parliament as an SNP MSP for the Central Scotland Region, until 2016 when he was elected as the first Scottish National Party Member of the Scottish Parliament for Uddingston and Bellshill.
Richard explained: “I built my reputation on being honest with people and always asked them to call me by my first name.
“Housing and repairs were the main issues and up to now I have gained 5034 people a house over the years.
“I have had the privilege of serving local people across this constituency every day since being elected and I have thoroughly appreciated being able to do so.
“I am proud to have been the longest serving SNP politician.
“Truth be told, I never really wanted to be an MSP! I served as chairman in the area when Alex Neil was our candidate and always supported Alex in his nomination for this seat.
“When Alex said he thought he could win Airdrie and Shotts and was moving there, I said ‘who should stand here then, Alex?’ He said ‘YOU SHOULD STAND!’
“That saw me winning the space on the regional list and thereafter becoming an MSP.”
Helping people has been what’s driven Richard over the years, as he recalls his role in bringing employment and housing to the area.
He said: “Ultimately, one of my key highlights has been about bringing more jobs to the area through various projects including the PD Stirling proposal which all opposed except myself – which will bring many jobs to Bellshill and surrounding areas in the future.
“I also delivered a small business network event during my time as a constituency MSP – in order to promote our small businesses and the opportunity they have to create employment.
“I have helped many people to gain their first house, I always get someone saying, ‘ You got my mother a house – can you help me?’ That’s what being a councillor/msp is all about helping people.”
On his retirement, Richard added: “To do another five years, I’d be 76 so it’s time to step down. It’s refreshing to see an all-woman list, which I support.
“It’s a bit surreal standing back after being so heavily involved in elections over the years.
“I have had an excellent election agent over the last 30 years. He is someone who always tells me off if he thinks I am wrong
– Eddie Corson. Eddie has won every election since taking over.
“He is a rock and wanted me to stand again but I think the time has come to stop.
“This next year will mark 45 years as a politician. And next year I will be 71 years of age.
“I now have four grandchildren and I don’t intend to miss out on what they do – as I did sometimes with my daughter Marina and my son Vincent. Lastly it’s time to give back to my wife Marion – who has always supported me in all that I have done.
“I’m proud to have served as a councillor and as a Member of the Scottish Parliament – and to have served local people for over 40 years. I have enjoyed the opportunity to help influence and shape the changes we need to see from the council’s
Labour administration. I always encourage everyone who tells me they wish to be a politician to get involved and to go for it.
“Being a politician is not an easy task, it requires sacrifice and intense scrutiny, it requires hard work like any other role, but it is incredibly rewarding to serve local people and I am proud to have had the chance to do just that.”