Parliament to Dissolve

The Scottish Parliament will dissolve at midnight on Wednesday 23rd March ahead of the election on May 5th.

Renfrewshire MSPs Derek Mackay and George Adam, both of the SNP, will therefore both cease to be MSPs that point.

As part of the dissolution process there will be no MSPs until after the election. Under Parliamentary rules current MSPs are prevented from undertaking any new constituency casework.

Constituents can still contact their local councillors and MPs (Gavin Newlands in Paisley and Renfrewshire North, and Mhairi Black in Paisley and Renfrewshire South) should they have any issue they require assistance with.

Both Mr Mackay and Mr Adam are standing for re-election in Renfrewshire North & West and Paisley for the SNP.

In order to vote in the election you must be registered by 18th April. This will also be the first time 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote in a Parliamentary election.

Derek Mackay, who is also the SNP Party Chairman and Scotland’s Transport Minister, said:

“In 2011 I was honoured to be elected to serve the people of Renfrewshire North & West in our Parliament, during which time I have also served as Minister for Local Government & Planning, and now as Transport Minister.

“In holding regular surgeries across the constituency, including a telephone surgery every Monday, and issuing regular surveys I have done my very best to keep in touch with my constituents and also be accessible to them. I have taken on over 4,500 cases on behalf of locals and also campaigned against Labour’s cuts to local services and roads budgets.

“Between now and polling day my team and I will be working harder than ever to earn the trust of voters yet again.

George Adam added:

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the people of Paisley. In 2011, I was given the honour of representing the town I was born and raised in at our nations parliament. A lot has changed in 5 years in Paisley, our town is going from strength to strength and I feel there is again optimism about its future.

‘In the Scottish Parliament, I have taken every opportunity to talk up our town, so much so the other MSP count how many times I say ‘Paisley’ in ever speech. It has been important to paint a positive picture of Paisley in our nations Parliament, as our town has been used as a political football for far too long. I have represented our town to the best of my ability and am looking to do the same again. I have faith in the people of Paisley and over the next month I will campaign to ensure that fellow Buddies retain the faith they showed in me in 2011.”