Labour candidates in Coatbridge & Chryston were joined by the area’s MSPs as they officially launched their campaign for next month’s council elections.
The party has 10 candidates in the five wards covering the parliamentary constituency, with incumbent councillors Alex McVey, Bill Shields, Kevin Docherty, Mary Gourlay, Geraldine Woods, Michael McPake and John McLaren being joined on the respective ward ballot papers by Joseph Beekman, Andrew Bustard and Margaret-Ann Shaw.
Joining them to get the campaign underway were the party’s Central Scotland representatives at Holyrood – Monica Lennon, former party leader Richard Leonard and ex-North Lanarkshire councillor Mark Griffin.
Coatbridge North representative Bill Shields, who has been a councillor for more than two decades, said: “I am delighted to be standing alongside a fantastic array of local candidates from across our area.
“I’m particularly delighted to see young people standing for the Labour party in Coatbridge & Chryston as their perspective on the challenges we face is crucial.
“Every Labour candidate in this area will work tirelessly to ensure that each community has a local champion on the council.”
The group from the current administration party – who are among 42 Labour candidates standing in the 21 wards across North Lanarkshire – say they are “proud to be standing on Labour’s record and positive vision for the future”.
Candidates said in a message to voters: “Labour’s record locally includes the ground-breaking Club 365 programme, several new council house developments, the first-ever clothing grant for nursery pupils and investment in schools and community facilities.
“Despite more than a decade of SNP government-imposed cuts to council budgets, Labour councillors have been on your side and if elected in May, we’ll work to secure additional investment for our area and we will always be on your side.
“Our most recent budget created a cost of living fund to help families in the most need, a greener futures fund to make our local environment cleaner, and a next generation fund to give local kids the best start in life.”
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