Campaigning journalist says '˜enough is enough' and stands for election to East Renfrewshire Council

Paul Drury helped set up the Hands Off Huntly Action Group (HOHAG) nine years ago to prevent development of Braidbar Quarries.

That plan failed but now, he’s discovered - using Freedom of Information legislation - that East Renfrewshire Council have been talking to a developer about a fresh housing scheme since last summer.

Mr Drury is angry that local people have been “kept in the dark” .

He has now decided to stand as a candidate in the Giffnock and Thornliebank ward at May’s council elections.

He said:”It’s a chance for people in Giffnock to send a loud message to this local authority that we won’t be walked over. If we have a local campaigner at the heart of decision-making in East Ren Council, we have a fighting chance to influence events from within.

“I have been told the firm are buying up property in readiness for a major development.

“It is for this reason that I have decided to stand for election as an independent. Without true representation at council HQ, we can expect to be pushed around and kept in the dark by this local authority.

“It’s up to local people to send a clear signal by putting me inside the council.”

Mr Drury, who has lived in Giffnock for 35 years, is a freelance journalist. who won an award for his part in the save Rouken Glen Park campaign.