'Better shops and public transport': East Kilbride people speak out ahead of election

MORE investment, cheaper public transport and better shops are some of the key issues East Kilbride people want their new MP to tackle.

Environmental activist Maureen Potter, who has lived in the town since the 1960s, says the biggest issues concerning people in East Kilbride are “the cost of living, the NHS and housing, for many of our younger people trying to set up home for the first time.”

(Image: Maureen Potter)

She adds: “I hope our new MP will campaign for greater investment in public services, which should in turn increase the grant to devolved governments for the NHS, housing and other public services here.”

University student Laura Young, 20, who has lived in East Kilbride her whole life, said: "The biggest issue for young people is the state of public transport. Travelling to and from uni each day takes multiple hours by bus and costs a significant amount of money by train. The Young Scot rail discount ends at 18 and free bus travel at 22.

(Image: Laura Young)

"Also, the quality of high street shopping has declined in East Kilbride, so many shops have closed, so you have to travel outwith the town."

Laura added: "I'd like my MP to improve local facilities and work with global and local businesses to create a more lively town centre in East Kilbride and other Scottish towns."

Historically Labour until SNP’s landslide election victory of 2015 won them 56 of 59 seats, the constituency of East Kilbride and Strathaven is facing an interesting election day.

In a shock move last October, current MP Lisa Cameron – who was facing an SNP selection contest to remain as candidate for the constituency – defected to the Conservatives.

(Image: Grant Costello)

SNP candidate Grant Costello says his campaigning has revealed people want their MP to stand up against any “privatisation” of the NHS.

He added: “Wes Streeting's NHS comments about ‘holding the door wide open to the private sector’ get mentioned a lot to me.

“The cost of living crisis is always brought up, with people struggling with the rise in food prices and energy costs.”

Grant, a former youth worker, represented East Kilbride as a teenager in the Scottish Youth Parliament.

The former Duncanrig Secondary pupil believes the SNP can “absolutely win” on July 4.

“People are really responding to our message here in East Kilbride and Strathaven about the need for local voices standing up for our communities and putting Scotland's interests first,” he says.

“It is a direct fight between myself and the Labour candidate, who only moved to the constituency a few months ago after serving as a councillor in Lewisham.

“I'm a local candidate, born and bred in the constituency.”

The eight candidates standing in East Kilbride and Strathaven are Grant Costello (SNP), Ross Lambie (Conservative), Joani Reid (Labour), Donald MacKay (UKIP), Ann McGuinness (Scottish Greens), David Mills (Reform UK), Aisha Mir (Liberal Democrats), David Richardson (Scottish Family Party).