Alex Kerr bids to be the first SNP MSP for Eastwood

Alex Kerr joined the party during the independence referendum and has held organisational roles at every election since.

He believes working for MSPs for five years has given him “vital experience of the bread and butter constituency work which makes a real difference”.

“I will work tirelessly to ensure the voice of everyone in Eastwood is heard, from Giffnock to Eaglesham,” he said.

Mr Kerr, one of six SNP candidates at last year’s European election, wants to take the seat currently held by Jackson Carlaw MSP, leader of the Scottish Conservatives until July this year.

He said: “The people of Eastwood have been badly let down by the Tories.

“Their blind Brexit obsession is damaging our economy, our jobs and pushing countless people into poverty.

“Eastwood deserves so much better than this. The Tories have already ditched Jackson as a leader – constituents in Eastwood will get their own chance to ditch him at the upcoming election.”

Mr Kerr believes he can become the first SNP MSP for Eastwood.

“I have years of experience as an activist, working in politics and as a European election candidate for our party that I can bring to bear,” he said.

“The SNP is the party of Scotland and we must show we can represent everyone in our country.

“This means even in areas not traditionally seen as SNP heartlands.”

He said independence should be “front and centre of our campaign”.

“An independent Scotland in Europe presents a lifeboat from the kind of Boris-backed no-deal Brexit which will see chlorinated chicken on our supermarket shelves.

“With independence we can be part of building a better world, rather than turning our back on it.”

He added: “Unlike the Labour and Tory parties our selection processes place our members at the heart of decision making when it comes to our candidates.

“I’m looking forward to making my case for nomination to the SNP members living in Eastwood Constituency.

“I am confident that by placing their faith in me we can work together to give Eastwood their first ever SNP MSP.”