Residents‘ignored’by SNP, says Labour hopeful
Labour by-election candidate Jamie McGuire is demanding a fairer deal for people in Paisley Southeast, who he claims have been“let down”by the SNP council administration and Holyrood government.
The 21-year-old student is going up against five other budding councillors for the vacant seat in Renfrewshire’s ward six, with a poll set to take place on Tuesday, December 14.
And central to Mr McGuire’s campaign - which he formally launched this week - will be arguing for a better grant settlement from the Scottish Government.
He has pointed to figures which show the council’s budget has been cut by £29.5million in real terms in the past six years and insists it is time for the council to receive the funding it deserves to bolster public services.
“The people of Paisley Southeast and the whole of Renfrewshire have been ignored and let down by the SNP council and government who have taken them for granted,”said Jamie.
“Paisley Southeast deserves a fairer deal than it is getting from this administration.
“We need to see a strong local champion who will stand up and demand better for our area.
“We need the council to be properly funded to make sure our streets are clean and free from potholes and to provide children with the world-class education that used to be the pride of Scotland.
“Those are the things that truly matter to people and they are the things that will matter to me if elected.
“SNP councillors have proven they won’t stand up for the area. I will.”
If elected next month, Jamie will become the ward’s second Labour councillor, alongside group leader Eddie Devine, and the party’s 14th representative in the chamber.
But he faces a battle against the SNP’s Bruce MacFarlane - who hopes to double nationalist representation in the area alongside Councillor Marie McGurk - as well as Conservative Alec Leishman, Liberal Democrat John Craft, the Greens’Kyle Mitchell and Libertarian Duncan Grant.
All six are new to the ballot box and have not run in any previous elections for Renfrewshire House, Holyrood or Westminster.
Residents have until next Thursday to ensure they are registered to vote either via post or at a polling station.
Polling stations will be located at Glenburn Community Centre, Glenburn Resource Centre, Paisley South Church Hall and St Charles Church Hall.