Julie: Residents have been let down ... I vow to change that
Renfrewshire residents will hit the polls on May 6 to elect the region’s new MSPs for the next five years.
Today, the Express speaks to Julie Pirone of the Scottish Conservatives, who is seeking election in Renfrewshire North and West.
Scottish Conservative candidate Julie Pirone has insisted she will “push hard” to implement ‘Mackay’s law’ if elected.
The legislation would require MSPs be removed from office if they repeatedly don’t turn up in parliament should she be elected.
After running in the snap general election in 2019, the mum- of- three is looking to turn Renfrewshire North and West blue for the first time at Holyrood.
Since 2011, the seat has belonged to shamed MSP Derek Mackay, who has not been seen in the Scottish Parliament since it emerged he sent a series of messages to a teenage boy on social media in January last year.
And, if she is voted into office, Mrs Pirone - who was traditionally a Labour voter - has pledged to make sure a socalled ‘Mackay’s law’ is put in place, which would mean any politician who does not show their face in the chamber for six months would be forced to resign.
The 51-year-old said the constituency has been let down by the former finance secretary.
She said: “If you are elected, then you should stand up for the people who elected you and, if you don’t, you should have the decency to resign.
“This is important going forward.
“It makes a sham of our democracy if you’re elected and then don’t turn up.
“If I was elected, I’d be standing up for everyone in the constituency, whether they voted for me or not.
“We have a plan in the next parliament to bring in Mackay’s law, which will mean if you don’t turn up, you’ll have the same rules around you as an MSP as you would if you were a councillor.
“You will be removed from office and there would be a by-election.
“I’ll be pushing quite hard on that and I’d ask my fellow candidates to say whether they support that or not because I think the residents of Renfrewshire North and West need to know where people stand on it.
“I’ve heard from people who have had problems and had nowhere to go because they don’t know who represents them.
“People are appalled because they don’t understand why someone would take a salary and expenses and then not do anything to help them.”
M r s P i rone - who was born in Renfrew and still has family in the town - campaigned for the Paisley and
Renfrewshire
North Westminster seat in 2019 and came just short of overtaking Labour into second place at the polls.
But, this time, she is hoping she can swing Renfrewshire North and West - which has always been SNP - for the Tories, after the party enjoyed a surge in support at the 2016 election, gaining 16 seats.
She said her main priorities would be around improving education, getting Bishopton a new health centre, tightening road safety and supporting businesses.
“Education is really important to me,” added Mrs Pirone.
“Our children have lost a year of it and they need to get back to learning and be supported through that.
“That’s why I’m pleased we have pledged to
bring in a tutoring programme to help children like my daughter who has dyslexia and dyscalculia because I have seen a decline in some of the subjects she studies.
“We need to get better at giving our children digital devices and improving connectivity, as some families don’t have broadband.
“We’ve been campaigning hard about the Bishopton health centre which is screeching at the seams.
“People were promised a new one when the new houses were all built and it still hasn’t happened.
“My other main focuses will be on the state and security of the roads and business.
“I’m a big advocate of 20mph zones and that’s had a really good pick-up with local people.
“How we support our high streets going forward is also so important.
“We have to make sure when we get into the pandemic recovery, there are plans in place to support businesses large and small.”
In 2016, the Tories managed to pip Labour into second place in the constituency, but candidate David Wilson was still some way short of snatching the seat from Mr Mackay, receiving just 23.8 per cent of the vote.
However, Mrs Pirone said she senses a desire for change after speaking to residents.
She added: “It’s possible this seat could swing.
“People are fed up with talking about independence and I believe because I sit in the centre-ground and am a very different Scottish Conservative, I’ve got a good chance.
“People want a change and I do believe I have policies which will appeal to people I’m hoping to turn at this election.”
If you are elected, then you should stand up for the people who elected you