Residents are set to choose their next Clydebank Waterfront councillors next month, so we have compiled a list of each candidate ahead of polling day.
A by-election has been called for Thursday, May 15, in West Dunbartonshire following the resignation of councillor James McElhill, citing 'personal health reasons'.
Eight candidates have put themselves forward to be the next local politician.
The successful person will join the three councillors who currently represent this ward: councillor Daniel Lennie (Independent), councillor June McKay (Independent), and councillor Lauren Oxley (Scottish National Party).
Ahead of the vote next week, the Clydebank Post contacted each of the parties that have put candidates forward to find out more about what they are promising residents if elected.
Eryn Browning - Scottish Greens
UPDATE: Eryn is no longer standing for the election.
READ MORE: Clydebank by-election candidate suspended and reported to police
Kevin Crawford - Scottish National Party (SNP)
He said: "I’m running as a candidate as I want to make sure the voices of the local community are heard when decisions are being made by the council. They deserve to be kept updated on plans and proposals, and not just find out after the fact.
"Too many cuts and wrong decisions made mean it’s the community that is left to suffer.
"In my current job, I’ve created new services to fill gaps due to cuts. I am an advocate for people living with disabilities, mental health issues and long-term conditions, and I listen to what people really want and need in their lives.
"I know what it’s like to live with a disability and to face struggles in life.
"I believe these experiences will make me a councillor who will fight for my local community, make sure they are represented at all times and be someone who gets things done."
Kristopher Duncan - Alba Party for independence
He said: "I’m standing in this by-election because I believe West Dunbartonshire can do better than it currently is. The Labour-controlled administration is intent on limiting opportunities for people, as demonstrated by their plans to implement massive cuts to specialised support services like ‘Y Sort It’ and ‘Work Connect’.
"Whilst cutting public services, they have implemented one of the largest increases in council tax in Scotland, at 11.5 per cent. At the same time, they agreed to a 21 per cent pay rise for themselves. It is disgraceful.
"People have grown tired of politicians serving themselves and not the people who elect them. As a father to my little girl, I want to play my part in delivering a different style of politics, one that will benefit future generations and one that gives a voice to ordinary hardworking families."
Maureen McGlinchey - Scottish Labour Party
She said: "I am standing because of my lifetime commitment to the Clydebank community. My entire teaching career was in St Columba’s, firstly as a Modern Studies teacher and eventually as the Head Teacher. As a result, I came to understand and appreciate that particular ‘Bankie’ pride, feistiness and camaraderie.
"Public service is important to me, so my association with Clydebank has continued in various volunteer roles: a teacher in The Choices Project in Faifley, serving as the Area Convener of the Children’s Panel, Chair of Clydebank Asbestos Group, as I was so impressed by the tremendous work they do.
"If elected, I will continue to work hard to support people in this area. I want to focus on improving amenities and support for young people and the elderly, as well as ways to tackle anti-social behaviour."
Andrew Joseph Muir - Scottish Family Party
He said: "I am 66 years old, a pensions actuary and have stood in elections many times due to a deterioration of services and values over the years. The main political parties suppress freedom of speech and bully others. I don’t trust the justice system, the courts, the procurator fiscal or the police. Christians are persecuted.
"The NHS is treated as our new deity when it should only be a service. We have no human rights. Someone can be arrested for simply standing in the street with a banner or visiting a councillor’s surgery.
"Also, someone can be locked up and drugged indefinitely if they are thought likely to be mentally ill. There is no accountability for dishonesty or incompetence. We are saddled with debt, closing libraries and the golf course going out of council hands. I have been told that West Dunbartonshire Council's private finance initiative costs are £14m a year."
David Smith - Reform UK
He says: "Our council has voted to increase our council tax by 11.5% and has started charging for the removal of garden waste.
"At the same time as increasing our tax, our elected councillors have voted to give themselves inflation-busting pay rises, and council executive pay has ballooned.
"The cuts to council services in this year's budget have been devastating and target women, children and our most vulnerable.
"Women’s Aid funding has been cut almost to the point of closure. School funding has been slashed, resulting in the loss of a Primary Head Teacher, High School registration classes, reductions in Education Maintenance Allowances and Uniform Clothing Allowances. Work Connect, a service that helps young disabled adults into work, is being shut, Working4u has received a 50% budget cut, and the Carers of West Dunbartonshire has had its budget cut by another 20%.
"I am absolutely appalled by all the cuts. I am pledging to donate my councillor’s net salary back into our community to help support charities and good causes."
Cameron Eoin Stewart - Scottish Liberal Democrats
He said: "I’m standing for election because I believe that Clydebank deserves better. For years now, Bankies have been taken for granted by the SNP and Labour.
"From knocking on doors right across the waterfront, it is clear just how fed up we are. An 11 per cent rise in council tax this year, just to see more services cut anyway.
"We are crying out for an alternative. Someone who’s interested in doing the hard graft on the ground to help bring our pride back.
"If you place your trust in me, I will be an energetic and determined champion for our community, ensuring that your voice is heard on the issues that really matter to you.
"That means pushing for action on swift local access to our vital public services, cleaning up our streets, making sure we get the basics right and holding Labour and the SNP to account for their neglect of our area."
Brian Walker - Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party
Brian was previously a councillor for Dumbarton, where he focused on improving roads and local healthcare provision and fought to stop the closure of local libraries.
He said: “Living locally, I know West Dunbartonshire is a great place with a huge amount of potential. But there are also problems that need to be addressed and things that must be improved.
“I want to focus on the bread-and-butter issues affecting Clydebank, like reducing the cost of brown bin collections, fixing our pothole-scarred roads and investing in schools.
“The minority Labour administration at the council isn’t working. If elected, I will work with colleagues and fight for a fairer deal for Clydebank residents.
“I know what this job takes, and if I am lucky enough to win, I will work tirelessly to repay the trust placed in me.”
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