Gavin Newlands MP has officially launched his bid for re-election in the forthcoming General Election.

The campaign kick-off took place outside Renfrew Town Hall at the weekend, with Mr Newlands seeking to represent the constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire North.

The constituency is set to go through boundary changes which will make Seedhill and a portion of Glasgow's Southside form part of the constituency, while places such as Linwood, Bridge of Weir and Houston will be part of Paisley and Renfrewshire South and Inverclyde and West Renfrewshire.

Having recently marked his 1000th constituency advice surgery, Mr Newlands said: "I pride myself in always being approachable and accessible and whilst I am sorry to be losing fantastic areas such as Linwood, Bridge of Weir and Houston from the constituency I am excited by the prospect of campaigning in Seedhill the area where I was born, as well as Cardonald, Penilee and Hillington.”

The Gazette: Mr Newlands is seeking to represent the constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire North

Elected for the first time in 2015 and subsequently in 2017 and 2019, he has held more surgeries than any other MP and led multiple campaigns, which include calling for the end of the scandalous practice of fire and rehire, and the White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women.

He added: "We need rid of this reckless, right-wing, reactionary Tory government, but not just for four to five years whilst Labour has their turn, we need to get rid of Tory governments we didn't elect, or versions of the Labour Party that feel the only way to win is to ape Tory policies, for good.

"The only way we can do this is through independence, and the only way we secure this is by voting for the Scottish National Party.”

George Adam MSP, local councillors and Cllr Jacqueline Cameron, the SNP candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, attended the launch.