Your View: European elections on the horizon

The Scottish Conservatives continued to back plans for a referendum of EU membership while Labour’s manifesto pledges to fight for “jobs and fairness”.

During the launch of the SNP European election campaign, Alex Salmond said: “A strong team of SNP MEPs under Scottish independence is the best way to represent the nation in Brussels.”

Voters will choose 73 MEPs in 11 multi-member regional constituencies.

In Scotland, a total of six MEPs will be elected. Members are elected by proportional representation, in order as listed by their party.

This week, we asked southsiders: will you be voting in the European election?

Sheila McAlinden (60)and Sian Farrell (57), from Barrhead, both plan to vote. Sheila said: “I always vote when given the opportunity. It is very important that we all do.”

Giffnock man Rehan Rafique (45) told The Extra: “I always vote, regardless of the election. It is our duty to use our voice — people need to vote.”

Norman Macphee (80), shopping in Newton Mearns, said: “The European parliament is all ‘jobs for the boys’. Voting won’t make a difference and I am not interested in these elections.”

But for Allan Strang (74) from Giffnock, there’s still one big issue to address. He told The Extra: “I will vote but only to make a stand against Europe. There should be a referendum on the subject, then I think more people would turn out.”

What do you think? Email Gregor at the address above for inclusion in next week’s paper.