A youth aged just 18 is battling to become one of Scotland’s youngest councillors.
If Fraser Paul makes it onto Renfrewshire Council it will decimate the average age of members.
Eighteen is the minimum legal age to become a council councillor in Scotland.
He will fight for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist in the Paisley Northeast ward at May’s election.
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His selection flies in the face of the typical local councillor, often chosen for experience and not youth.
Fraser aims to take the place of Tory Councillor John McIntyre who is not seeking re-election.
He has recently left Castlehead High and has worked in local retail.
Fraser says he has a “deep passion” for Paisley and wants to ensure all Buddies can be proud as he focuses on accelerating the recovery from the pandemic.
Among the issues he will be prioritising are ensuring that schools and services have the resources they need, tackling potholes and road repairs, looking to ease congestion at Royal Alexandra Hospital, and tackling anti-social behaviour.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected by the Scottish Conservatives to stand in this ward.
“Paisley is my hometown and I want to make a difference from within Renfrewshire Council as we look to recover from the Covid pandemic.
“I am deeply passionate about the issues facing our communities and having lived here all my life, I am acutely aware of what they are.
“I am looking forward to getting out and about and speaking to as many voters as possible about the concerns they have and outline my top priorities if I am successful in May.
“I would also like to give my thanks to Councillor John McIntyre for all the work he has done for constituents in Paisley Northwest over the last five years.
“ It would be a real honour to succeed him and carry on the excellent work he has being doing in this ward.”
Councillor John McIntyre is stepping down to pursue other interests after serving a single five-year term.
Cllr McIntyre said: “It has been an honour to represent those in Paisley Northwest over the last five years and I thank everyone who put their trust me in 2017.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed helping people, organisations and businesses with their issues especially during the last two years of a pandemic.
“The time is right to step away from my council duties onto my other interests and I am very pleased that Fraser Paul has been selected for this ward.
“He is full of ideas and will be a strong voice for Paisley Northwest if elected and I would urge voters here to back him.”
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