Region’sfirstGreenMSPis ‘overwhelmed’
Central Scotland’s new Green MSP says she is “overwhelmed” to become the party’s first representative in the region.
Gillian Mackay claimed a seat through the area’s list vote to become one of eight Greens in the new parliament.
Joining her to represent the region will be three returning Labour members – down one from their Central group in the last parliament – and three Conservatives, including North Lanarkshire Council group leader Meghan Gallacher.
Ms Mackay told how she and her Green colleagues will “fight for communities” and focus on a number of varied issues.
She said: “We were overwhelmed to hear my name read out. We’re over the moon to have our first-ever Green MSP for Central Scotland.
“We’ve had a great network of local activists, who have been phenomenal and put in a great shift to bring in this result.”
The 29-year-old told her new constituents: “They can expect us to fight for communities, fight for fair funding and for a bright future.
“We have some rural, some postindustrial and some current industrial communities, and all of those need that Green voice to have the future their children and grandchildren deserve.”
The Conservatives again returned three Central list members, with incumbent MSP Graham Simpson this time being joined by Councillor Gallacher and Stephen Kerr, the former Stirling MP.
Ms Gallacher says she is “absolutely delighted and honoured to be elected as MSP”, and added that she will make a decision this week on her role representing the Motherwell West council ward.
She said: “This result shows that the Conservatives are here to stay in this region. We always wanted to retain the three MSPs we had, and I’m absolutely delighted to get the increase that we did in vote share. I think this is the start of things to come.”
Mr Kerr said: “I’m incredibly honoured and excited to have the privilege of being an MSP, and it’s a great opportunity.”
Richard Leonard, the former Labour leader, admitted it was “disappointing” for the party’s Central Scotland contingent to be reduced from four to three MSPs.
He will return to Holyrood with colleagues Monica Lennon and Mark Griffin.