Buddies are urging the new Prime Minister to think of her former Paisley neighbours when making key decisions on the cost-of-living crisis.
Liz Truss, who spent much of her youth in Renfrewshire, yesterday won the fight to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.
The current Foreign Secretary took 53 per cent of the votes cast by Tory members to become Boris Johnson’s successor.
She will today travel to Balmoral, where the Queen will ask her to form a new government.
Now Paisley families are begging the new Prime Minister to remember them as she prepares to tackle the soaring prices of food and energy.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Neil Bibby, the Paisley-based MSP for West Scotland, said: “Our community faces both a cost-of-living crisis and the scars left by deindustrialisation and austerity under Tory misrule.
“I hope Liz Truss doesn’t forget Paisley as Prime Minister.
“Paisley certainly has not forgotten the damage done by her party.
“Throughout the leadership election Liz Truss has spoken a lot about growing up in Paisley.
“Paisley - and Renfrewshire - doesn’t need a name check, we need an actual cheque for jobs and investment.”
He added: “Liz Truss may like to believe her coronation signals a fresh start for the Conservative Party but in reality we know she represents a party which continues to fail families here and across the UK.
"The cost-of-living crisis is the number one issue facing families today, they are having to deal with spiralling bills and sky-high energy costs, and the Tories have no ideas and no answers.”
Truss moved to Paisley when she was four years old, living in the town from 1979 to 1985 when her mathematician father took up a role at Paisley College - now the University of the West of Scotland.
She attended West Primary and has since said that she witnessed “low expectations, poor educational standards and a lack of opportunity” while at the school and another state school in Leeds.
Anti-poverty campaigner Terry McTernan, whose Darkwood Crew aims to tackle food insecurity and social isolation in the Ferguslie Park area, also urged Truss to open her eyes to the plight of families who are living below the breadline.
Acknowledging the impact that deindustrialisation had on Ferguslie Park, Terry said: “During the time that she lived here, Ferguslie Park in particular felt the impact of Thatcherism.
“Deindustrialisation and that brand of Thatcherism didn’t work for us. We are still very much trying to recover from the damage that was done 40 years ago.
“She needs to think seriously about how she speaks about levelling up.
“Let’s hope that continues and includes communities like Ferguslie Park that require the levelling up she speaks of, not just the rhetoric.”
Truss is now under pressure to announce immediate support for low-income families and businesses struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
During her acceptance speech yesterday, she said she would “deliver” when it comes to the crisis by not only dealing with bills but also long-term supply issues.
She is expected to make a statement on soaring energy bills on Thursday.
Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay said: “Many people in Paisley will be rightly pleased, and even proud, that the new occupant of 10 Downing Street spent many happy years in the town.
“Having recently spoken with Liz, it’s clear that she too has fond memories of her time growing up in Paisley and is keen to return.”
He added: “Liz Truss is smart and capable, having held senior positions including that of Foreign Secretary, with a strong track record of delivery.
“She has a huge task in tackling the many challenges facing our country and it’s in all our interests that she succeeds.”
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area. Available on both Android and Apple. Download here:smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial
