EASTWOOD is a two-horse race between the Tories and the SNP – and Colm Merrick is confident he can oust Jackson Carlaw from his constituency seat.
The seat historically elected Labour’s Ken Macintosh as its MSP before Carlaw won the seat in 2016, and there are only 1611 votes needed to swing it to the SNP for the first time.
And Merrick, who is an SNP councillor for the area in East Renfrewshire, believes his knowledge of local issues and listening to what voters’ concerns are will bag him the seat.
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The National met with Merrick in Giffnock to talk about why voters should back him and how voting for any other party than the SNP could let the Tories in.
Merrick said: “This is a two-horse race, it’s either the SNP or the Conservatives. The SNP are the only party who can beat the Conservatives here, and we know that from our polling and from speaking to people in the constituency. If you vote for me you get someone who lives here, who is focused and centred on Scotland and on the wider Eastwood area.
“I didn’t grow up here but my children did, family ties go back several generations and we’ve settled here, got married, had children, we know how all the services work, we know what the rights and wrongs are and how it all works so I’m someone who’s local and has a feel for the place, in tune with the people who live here and always consults with them.”
Carlaw, who resigned as Scottish Tory leader in July last year, has only held the seat for one parliamentary term, but Merrick believes voters are ready for change.
Merrick added: “We think we’ve got a good chance of winning it this time for the SNP because the incumbent has let people down and people, I think view, that as what Boris Johnson wants.
“People in this area are democrats first and foremost, that’s why I feel they are hurt by the Brexit decision, which was totally against what they wanted, because this was the highest remain vote in the area. People are worried these things are going to happen again and that’s why they want these decisions to be in Scotland’s hands, in their own hands, rather than judged from afar.
“It’s not just having more control over your own destiny, it’s the democracy of that, whether or not people support independence, the vast majority of people seem as far as we can find out at the minute, seem to support the notion of an independence referendum so they can have a say and that is democracy in play. What we’re picking up from people now is they’re up for change and they’re up for recovery.”
The National also spoke to voters to get their opinions, many of whom were enjoying the first day of restrictions relaxing with bars and restaurants opening up.
Sam O’Neill, 18, (above) and a first-time voter, said he was undecided at the moment but was leaning towards the SNP – although he wasn’t so sure on independence.
O’Neill, who was enjoying a pint outside Orchard Park Hotel, said: “I like some SNP policies but I’m not sure about independence. I like what they’re trying to do with football to get ownership into the hands of the fans and free school meals for school kids.
“I’m undecided on who I’m voting for, I’m waiting for closer to the time, to see what other stuff comes out before then I don’t know much about him [Carlaw], but I don’t like the Conservative Party.”
Karin Gilhooly, 64, retired, is also undecided but leaning towards the SNP. She said: “I’m still a bit undecided. I’m very impressed with Nicola Sturgeon and all that she’s done over the last year and a half, but I’m still a wee bit unsure of total independence.”
Asked what the main issues for her in this election are, she added: “Health and education, getting the economy back as best they can, and of course, everyone says more housing, every party has promised thousands of houses and they’ve never come to pass and I think that’s a disgrace in itself. It would mean a better quality life for everyone.”
Les Meikle, 67, retired (below) said he was “very happy” to be voting for the SNP and criticised Carlaw. He said: “From what I saw in the past watching him on the TV and how he represented the Conservatives, it wasn’t particularly flattering and it wasn’t impressive, so I can’t see him doing particularly well in this area.
“I’ve been a long believer of independence for Scotland and I’m sure what Nicola has done over this pandemic has been very credible and I think she should be more than happy to carry on as First Minister in the future.”
Caroline Brocklehurst, 45,is a retail worker and said the main issue for her is assisted dying legislation for the terminally ill, and that she wrote to all the candidates to find out their views.
Brocklehurst stopped Merrick after The National interviewed him to bring up the issue, and said it’s something important to her due to personal experience.
She said: “Surprisingly, Jackson Carlaw’s response was informed, very committed and, with appropriate safeguards, he is very committed to ensuring that Scotland leads the way in providing dignity in dying legislation. So it causes a dilemma for me because I would never have considered voting for a Tory. I’m not pro-independence currently. I’m open to listening to the arguments but for me the case has not been made.”
KEY FACTS
Eastwood covers Giffnock, Thornliebank, Clarkston, Williamwood and others.
2016 election results
- Jackson Carlaw, Conservative – 12,932 votes
- Stewart Maxwell, SNP – 11,321 votes
- Ken MacIntosh, Labour – 11,081 votes
- John Duncan, LibDem – 921 votes
- Tory majority – 1611 votes
- Swing needed for SNP – 4.5%
- Voter turn out 2016 – 68.3%
Candidates Holyrood Election 2021
- SNP – Colm Merrick
- Conservative – Jackson Carlaw
- Labour – Katie Pragnell
- LibDem – Tahir Jameel
- Independent – David Macdonald
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