THE race to Holyrood is gathering pace, with voters going to the polls three weeks tomorrow to decide who should represent them at the Scottish Parliament.

And, although the winner of the Renfrewshire North and West seat has yet to be decided, voters there know they will have a new MSP.

The constituency was created in 2011 and has been occupied since then by Derek Mackay, who stood for the SNP at the last two Scottish Parliament elections.

However, more recently, he has been representing the area as an Independent, following his suspension by the SNP last year after it emerged he had sent inappropriate messages to a schoolboy.

Here, all five candidates make their pitch to voters as they seek to replace Mr Mackay, who has decided against standing at next month’s election.

SNP councillor wants to help ‘build towards a better future’

The Gazette: Natalie DonNatalie Don

SNP candidate Natalie Don has told voters she has their “true needs at heart” as she fights to win Renfrewshire North and West.

Currently serving as a councillor for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank, she said she is proud to hail from Renfrewshire, having lived and worked in the area her entire life.

“Like many women in Renfrewshire, I come from a working class household impacted by poverty and decades of UK Government cuts and neglect,” she added.

“I want only the best for the people here and will work towards increasing life satisfaction for everyone in this wee part of the world.”

Councillor Don has pledged to help “build towards a better future” as the area recovers from the Covid pandemic.

She said: “My own priorities reflect the needs of the area. I want an end to child poverty and I want to work towards bringing rail infrastructure to places like Renfrew and Bridge of Weir, a new health centre for people in Bishopton and an increased police presence across Renfrewshire to combat anti-social behaviour.

“Only the SNP have Renfrewshire’s true needs at heart as we build towards a fairer, greener, independent Scotland.”

Former journalist hopes Holyrood bid will have a happy ending

The Gazette: Julie PironeJulie Pirone

Julie Pirone has said she is “honoured” to be standing in Renfrewshire North and West for the Scottish Conservatives.

The former journalist has hailed her party’s “bold and ambitious proposals” to support businesses and rebuild communities as they emerge from the Covid pandemic and has stated her opposition to another independence referendum.

Mrs Pirone said: “I am a local Renfrew girl and I want to be this constituency’s voice in the Scottish Parliament.

“As we look beyond the pandemic, our focus must be on rebuilding our communities. We must give our young people the education they deserve and help our businesses to grow.”

Since being selected as the Tory candidate, Mrs Pirone has worked with local councillors to lobby on concerns such as a new Bishopton Health Centre and anti-social behaviour.

She said: “As your MSP, I would be putting the voices of local people first, always.

“You’ve been let down by not having a representative in parliament for over a year and it’s now time for change.

“Only a vote for me and the Scottish Conservatives on both ballots will mean the focus is on our recovery and the issues that matter to our communities.”

Labour candidate aims to honour ‘bond of trust’ with voters

The Gazette: Johanna BaxterJohanna Baxter

Labour hopeful Johanna Baxter insists it is time for a change at Holyrood after 14 years of “SNP rule.”

Ms Baxter, who is head of local government for the Unison trade union, said the bond of trust between voters and elected representatives is “sacred” and should not be taken for granted.

She added: “It is an honour to stand as your Labour candidate.

“After 14 years of SNP rule, we need a better government and a better opposition.

“Many voters are sick and tired of being taken for granted. This is especially true in Renfrewshire North and West, where Derek Mackay has not attended parliament to speak up for this constituency for the last year – a year in which our country has faced a global pandemic, many constituents have lost loved ones and their jobs and existing inequalities in our society have deepened.”

Ms Baxter believes the recovery from the pandemic must be the focus for MSPs, with investment in public services.

She said: “Now, more than ever, we need to focus on what unites rather than divides us.

“Local people need someone who will show up, stand up and speak for them all year round – and I promise to do just that.”

Liberal Democrat hopeful sets his sights on ‘home victory’

The Gazette: Ross StalkerRoss Stalker

Renfrew has been home for Liberal Democrat candidate Ross Stalker for more than a decade.

And, as the area begins its recovery from the Covid pandemic, he believes there is much work to be done for whoever wins the Renfrewshire North and West seat.

Green issues and improved support for mental health are just some of the concerns raised by Mr Stalker, who studied for a degree in Biotechnology at the University of the West of Scotland.

“With my background in biology, I see the urgency of dealing with the climate crisis and I deeply value our local ecosystems,” he said.

“I know first-hand how inadequate our mental health system is. It is unacceptable that the Scottish Government is still working to a mental health strategy that is less thorough than the one that went before it – and I’m proud to be standing for a party that will face Scotland’s mental health emergency.”

Mr Stalker has also pledged to tackle the deprivation-linked attainment gap and support a push by Lib Dem MSPs to reopen cross-party talks on replacing Council Tax with something more “progressive.”

He added: “Give both votes to the Liberal Democrats to elect MSPs who will put recovery first.”

Representing family values is what matters to Martin

The Gazette: Martin BellMartin Bell

Martin Bell is urging voters to embrace change as he flies the flag for the Scottish Family Party.

Formed by a group of educators, the party has campaigned for the Curriculum for Excellence to be scrapped.

Mr Bell said: “The SNP forced this system into our schools in 2000. This has seen countries like Estonia, Slovenia, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Ireland and Poland all pass us in the league tables.

“At this rate, the qualifications our kids leave school with won’t be worth the paper they’re written on.”

Mr Bell has also vowed to stand up to “liberal ideology” and said he represents the only “truly Pro-Life party.”

He added: “The citizens of Scotland have a decision to make. Continue voting for your parties as usual and our society will continue to degrade.

“We don’t believe independence is the way forward to help recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic. Our businesses need a stable economy in order to improve and get people working again.

“Don’t vote the same way and expect a different outcome. To make a difference, vote the Scottish Family Party with both votes.”