The leader of Renfrewshire Council has announced that he will step down if his bid to become an MSP is successful.

Published 11 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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ELECTION HOPE: Derek Mackay

By Julia Corriea

The leader of Renfrewshire Council has announced that he will step down if his bid to become an MSP is successful.

Derek Mackay has stated that he will be standing as the SNP candidate for the new Renfrewshire North and West constituency in the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections that will take place next May.

The councillor has been representing his home ward of Renfrew since 1999, and became council leader in 2007 after a unanimous vote was cast by the Renfrewshire North and West SNP members.

He told the Gazette: “I want the West of Scotland to have strong voices in the Scottish Parliament. My supporters have asked that I take the next step to serve the area and I look forward to the campaign ahead.

“Leading Renfrewshire Council’s first SNP-led administration has been my greatest privilege to date, addressing years of Labour incompetence.”

The new seat encompasses Gallowhill, Renfrew, Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton, Langbank, Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm. It is expected to be a closely contested seat with current Labour MSP Trish Godman standing down.

The 32-year-old father-of-two will stand against candidates including Labour’s Stuart Clarke and leader of the Scottish Conservative party Annabel Goldie, in his effort to obtain the seat.

He said: “Since joining the SNP I have put my heart and soul into forwarding the cause of independence. I’ve always been a nationalist, and will not rest until we have Scotland’s independence.

“I have led the Renfrewshire SNP council group from opposition to administration, while winning three successive council ward elections in a row since first standing.

“I have been working hard for Renfrewshire and would like to do so in the Scottish Parliament, of course encompassing Kilmacolm.”

Councillor Mackay will be nominated for the regional list for the Scottish Parliament as well.

He added: “My priorities include investing in early years, improving public services and releasing Scotland’s wealth.

“I will of course continue to give my role as council leader 100 per cent throughout the campaign.”

In the years that Derek Mackay has led the council, he insists it has delivered new and refurbished schools as well as providing £149 million in council housing, an increased focus on the environment and plans to improve town centres and rural areas.

This article appeared in The Gazette 11 Aug 10

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