Local community activist Gavin Newlands has been selected to stand for the SNP party in the Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

Mr Newlands has been a member of the SNP for 25 years, first getting involved as a youngster during the anti-poll tax campaigns.

As well as supporting many local causes, including a West of Scotland-based foodbank and serving as a Renfrew community councillor, he also works as a business manager for a large restaurant chain.

He told The Gazette: “It is a great honour to have been selected as the SNP candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire North.

“There is an appetite for change in Scotland and over the next few months I look forward to making the case that the Scottish Parliament should have more powers delivered to allow us to grow the economy, create jobs and protect our public services from the austerity agenda of the Westminster Government.

“I have lived in the constituency since I was four years old and it would be the privilege of my life to represent the place that I call home.

He added: “The people of Scotland are no longer accepting the politics of the past and instead demanding a new kind of politics that will bring about change to their communities.

“By electing a strong group of SNP MPs we can ensure that we have representatives who will always stand up for Scotland and ensure that the ‘vow’ is properly and fully delivered.” The 35-year-old aspiring politician lives in Renfrew with his wife and two daughters. He first joined the youth wing of the party in 1992 and is currently serving as Fundraiser for the SNP Renfrew and Gallowhill branch.

He became a Renfrew community councillor in 2011 and was also a member of Paisley Rugby Club for 16 years where he also served as Club Captain for three years.

He continued: “I have been a community activist for over 25 years and have seen first-hand the devastation that successive UK Governments have caused to our communities. The Labour Party have continually failed to stand-up and deliver for our communities, and the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire North will not forget the unholy alliance that they had with their Conservative colleagues for over two years.” Speaking of his nomination, supporter Derek Mackay, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, said: “I have known Gavin for seven years and delighted to endorse him as he strives to become the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North. He has been a community activist for a number of years and if elected would be strong representative for the local community.

“The Labour Party have continually failed to stand-up for the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire North and, if elected, Gavin will be a local champion and will be a strong voice in the corridors of Westminster. By electing Gavin we can ensure that we have a representative who will always stand up for the people of Scotland and ensure that the ‘vow’ is fully delivered.” For more information, contact Gavin Newlands 07841 113068 or newlandsg@aol.com or Garry Quigley 07833634386 or garry.quigley87@gmail.com