Stepping up
In just over a year Scotland will go to the polls to elect the next government at Holyrood, newly selected candidate Francesca Brennan writes on the change she wants to make in her community.
The Finnart Street Scout hall in Greenock is unlikely to win any architectural prizes but several times a week this building is permeated by hope, energy and enthusiasm as young people gather inside for fun activities led by committed volunteers. A symbol of community spirit; this hall is also a polling station at election times and it was here, at around 10.05pm on 4 May 2021, I finished polling day as a first-time candidate for Scottish Labour in Inverclyde at the Scottish Parliament elections.
Leaving the polling station that night, I knew it was unlikely I would have the privilege of being elected as Inverclyde’s MSP but every conversation during that campaign made me want to keep trying. People had trusted me enough to tell me their problems as well as their hopes for our area during a campaign that was grounded in purpose, passion and positivity. I wanted to build on these values and show people that I would be the right candidate again in a future we would ultimately have to accept was a bit further ahead than planned.
Last month I made a significant step towards that future when members gathered to back me as their candidate at a hustings meeting in Inverclyde. I spoke to them about my belief in hard work and how we all need to be out working hard, winning for our communities. I spoke about how 17 years of the SNP have shown that the false promise of nationalism they make to the people who are struggling the most will never bring solutions to the challenges we face. I spoke about the real responsibility we carry as Labour activists and politicians because we are constantly reminded of the risks when people go to political extremes. Talking to my Labour friends and family in that room about our plan to provide a better future for people who deserve more than the status quo of interminable SNP failure was part of a longer conversation I have been having with people across Inverclyde since I first stood in 2021.
The SNP government’s misuse of its time and opportunities from 2021 up until now should be a call to action for all of us who want progress for people here in Scotland. My time since 2021 has been spent campaigning for change and working on the frontline as a councillor and a teacher for children with ASN. I have listened to and learned from people and would urge others to do the same, not because we lack experience and ideas, but because a continuous campaign mindset means honing our craft so that we can be better for the people we serve. It also means setting out clearly how a Scottish Labour government will improve lives. In Inverclyde I am clear what we need to do to improve our community;
IMPROVING HEALTH
Our experiences -as well as the data- show that there is a huge amount of work to be done to improve the health of people here in our region. For me, that means demanding public health improvement, better and faster access to health professionals and increased engagement with the people who most need support.
BETTER SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
The places we live in deserve much better from our public services that have been hollowed out by the SNP. As a worker with decades of local government service, I will lead the charge for proper funding for the public sector.
FIGHTING FOR JOBS, INVESTMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES
We need someone like me who believes in our area’s potential. I will fight for more investment, more jobs and better opportunities to re-build our economy.
HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION
As a teacher, I understand many of the challenges faced by young people, their families and people of all ages who need more opportunities. I will continue to work with all stakeholders to make sure we support people to reach their potential.
SAFE AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Giving our towns and villages the chance to thrive is extremely important. I will use my experience of connecting our communities to increase safety and develop support
From now until May 2026 when Scotland returns to polling stations like the Finnart scout hall, our campaign will be powered by the spirit found in that hall -all its hope, energy and commitment- through important conversations, cast-iron reminders about the SNP’s woeful record and demonstrations of the difference a Labour MSP will make.