THE SNP’s Gil Paterson is expected to take landslide victory in Clydebank and Milngavie at the Scottish Parliament election tomorrow, according to polls.

Recent surveys by Ipsos MORI says: SNP 51 per cent, Labour 19 per cent, Conservative 18 per cent, Liberal Democrats six per cent.

The SNP has had a visible presence in Clydebank – with a shopfront on Kilbowie Road — and Scottish Labour, while smaller, has been ever present around the town throughout the campaigning period. 

Maurice Golden of the Tories and Frank Bowles of the Liberal Democrats – a late replacement, due to the original candidate falling ill – have not displayed a similar presence.

On the West Scotland regional list picture, SNP is still riding high, but smaller parties are looking to make gains. 

Voting intention figures by Ipsos MORI find: SNP 45 per cent, Conservative 19 per cent, Labour 17 per cent, Greens 10 per cent, Liberal Democrats 7 per cent. 

Battling at the bottom are left-wing parties Tommy Sheridan’s Solidarity and RISE – Scotland’s Left Alliance. New this year is the Women’s Equality Party. All are vying to up their share of the vote to around five per cent, where they stand a strong chance of winning an MSP.

The Post covered one of the final hustings in the Clydebank and Milngavie constituency last Thursday, organised by Clydebank Churches Together at St Margaret’s Church, Whitecrook.

Only two of the candidates could make it: Gail Casey and Gil Paterson. The Tories brought in Graeme Brooks, a substitute for Maurice Golden, who couldn’t make it due to business commitments.

Candidates battled through questions from the public including Trident, named person policy, austerity, and education. There were some heated moments throughout the debate.

Gil Paterson urged people to re-elect him if they think the SNP government has done a good job after a “raw deal” from Westminster. 

“If you think that they have gone a good job, and think it can do a good job, give both of your votes to the SNP.”

Gail Casey told the public: “Our tax and economic plans give an immediate boost to our economy, and will be aimed firmly at establishing equality in health, education and the income gaps between richest and poorest in our community.”

Graeme Brooks put forward a vision of building 100,000 new homes in Scotland under the Tories: “So let’s work together, whoever forms the next Scottish government and ensure that Scotland has a house building programme for people who want a warm and comfortable home.” 

Frank Bowles of the Lib Dems has said previously: “Our core offering is to spend £500 million on Scottish education with a Scottish Pupil Premium for every child from a disadvantaged background which would mean as much as £350,000 extra every year going to Clydebank High School.”