East Renfrewshire councillor wants to take Eastwood from Tory Jackson Carlaw

East Renfrewshire councillor Annette Ireland has entered the race to become Eastwood’s MSP at the Holyrood elections next year.

The Clarkston, Busby, Netherlee, Stamperland and Williamwood representative has announced her intention to run for selection as the SNP’s candidate.

She wants to take Eastwood from Tory incumbent Jackson Carlaw at the May election.

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Cllr Ireland said: “The people of Eastwood have been badly let down by Conservative policies.

“We are careering towards a damaging No Deal coupled with a disastrous Internal Market Bill clawing back powers from Scotland.

“The Conservatives are destroying our local economy, our jobs and are pushing countless people into poverty.”

She said representing the area would be an “absolute honour” and believes she can “win here for the SNP”.

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The councillor, who has two sons at Williamwood High School, has worked in a range of jobs, including local newspapers, commercial property and for the editorial team of the official journal of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

She also graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Masters in Scottish Literature and Scots Language and then became the first female SNP councillor for her local area.

“Eastwood is my family home,” she said. “It is a wonderful place to live and work in, it has a fantastic community with a diversity in wealth and circumstance and has its own unique challenges which, as a local councillor, I work with every single day.

“I believe that Eastwood needs a voice that will speak for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from.”

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She added: “During this Covid crisis, I have seen my community come together to help the vulnerable.

“It has been my absolute privilege to have volunteered with local community groups including Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire, Cosgrove Care and Include Me 2 Club.”

Jackson Carlaw, the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, won Eastwood in 2016.

Cllr Ireland said: “I firmly believe I have the determination, ability, track record, strength of character and experience to win in this upcoming election.

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“I am proud of my work with local residents, businesses and community groups. I have campaigned extensively for the SNP.

“I am asking local SNP members to not only vote for me but also to campaign with me as I fight to win against the Conservatives.

“The next parliament is a crucial one, an incredibly important one for Scotland, and could very well be the parliament which takes us towards independence.”

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