I’m proud to call Paisley my home, it’s won my heart
GMB GENERAL SECRETARY GARY ON WHY HE’S STAYING PUT
One of the most powerful union leaders in Britain has told how Paisley is ‘his kinda town’.
Gary Smith, the new general secretary of the GMB, has stuck firm on living in the heart of the town despite instant assumptions he would up sticks and move to London.
In an exclusive interview with the Paisley Daily Express, the 53 year old revealed he’s formed an incredibly close bond with the town.
And he said: “I am not going anywhere - I love Paisley, even its grit and realism, which I would not change.
“But what I really like is there is a pride in this town.
“People are proud of Paisley, even if they have been badly let down over the years with changes in the economy or industry.”
Gary, speaking on day six of his five-year leadership stretch, admits it’s been a whirlwind, including “being plunged” straight into the GMB Congress from his Euston HQ in London at the weekend.
The GMB has more than 613,000 members, with thousands of them in Paisley and Renfrewshire across Rolls-Royce, Renfrewshire Council, the NHS and Glasgow Airport.
Only UNISON and Unite are bigger.
Gary and his girlfriend Charlotte Gregory live in historic Oakshaw after shifting from a rental in Glasgow’s West End nearly six years ago.
He was not specifically looking to move to the town, but was captivated.
He said: “I obviously knew of Paisley’s industrial history including the mills and was aware of the sheer number of listed buildings.
“But, honestly, we are the happiest we could possibly be.
“Folk have asked if we are now moving back down south.
“We are not, we have great neighbours and such a great community in Oakshaw.
“And when I told Charlotte I was going for this job, she said she was not going to be moving house.
“She has settled into it very well and is now ingrained in the community.”
It’s a diverse community, but people still knock doors and come and see you.
“Paisley has got a reputation which is not deserved.
“I don’t think some people properly appreciate the attributes the town has got, or that it is changing.”
His obvious love of Paisley is more surprising given the extent of where he has lived and his passion for Hibernian FC.
He had been hoping for a Hibs v St Mirren Scottish Cup Final.
Though Edinburgh born, he has spent most of his working life in England, including South London and such spectacular spots such as Brighton, Plymouth, Coventry and Oxford, where he went to Ruskin College.
But he still thinks Paisley “has a charm about it” and Buddies have decency.
Then he adds: “And we have a couple of fantastic boozers as well.
“You are not going to get a much better pub than The Bull Inn or The Wee Howff.”
He feels humbled at being voted into the top job, becoming one of the most powerful trade union beasts in the UK.
Gary said: “This orginally was the gas workers union and I started as a gas apprentice on my 16th birthday.
“I have been involved in the union all my life, working every role as an official and it’s very humbling to be elected as general secretary by ordinary members.
“It is a huge responsibility, both in terms of how the union performs, but also about what the union stands for.
“I am very conscious of the history (the union was founded in 1924) but we also have to have a very clear view of where the future is.”
His new role means he will have the ear of Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar, both of whom congratulated him on the election victory.
Gary won with more than half the votes cast, smashing both his rivals. And he told his membership: “Throughout my entire adult working life, I’ve tried to fight hard, every day, to improve the working lives of our members.”
I am not going anywhere - I love Paisley, even its grit and realism, which I would not change