SCOTTISH Tory councillor Thomas Kerr is standing to become an MP in Glasgow East as the UK prepares to go to the polls on July 4.
The Shettleston politician said he will “fight” for the people of Glasgow's east end in Westminster and claimed he isn’t afraid to go against his own party if he disagrees with them.
Others contending with Councillor Kerr for Glasgow East include the SNP’s David Linden (below), who is hoping to retain his seat and the Labour candidate John Grady.
Kerr, 27, said: “I got involved in politics and there was no-one who looked or sounded like me.
"I have never been to university. My background is two parents who struggled with drug addiction.
“There are some people who have the same background as me. Our backgrounds should not hold us back.”
Entering politics when he was first elected at the age of 20 in 2017, he managed to hold his seat in 2022 despite his party’s standing in Glasgow City Council being decimated.
Commenting on the perception that the Conservatives can be viewed as elitist in working class areas of Glasgow, Kerr said the party is instead about “aspiration.”
Emphasising that the party in Scotland has their own identity, he said: “My argument is that the Scottish Conservatives are a completely different party.
“I am not a rich toff. I will put Glasgow East first.”
Asking people to judge his party on their record, Kerr pointed out Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced furlough during the pandemic.
Kerr (above) said: “The Conservative Party is about aspiration and opportunities. It doesn’t matter your background if you work hard and play by the rules you should be rewarded.”
Kerr said he would proudly walk in the east end with Sunak and wear a blue rosette even though he doesn’t agree with every Tory policy, adding it's impossible to get a “perfect party".
Kerr further said: “I will say it as it is. If that means challenging my party I am happy to do that. I’m a Glaswegian first, a Scot second and a Brit third.”
The Glasgow Conservative leader claimed his main competitor is Labour in the upcoming election.
He said: “I want to give them (Labour) a run for their money. I grew up in this area – I have seen what has happened.
"I will not let them walk into this seat and take people for granted.”
