Last week I announced my intention to stand down at the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

It has been the honour of my life to serve as the MSP for the constituency of Clydebank and Milngavie – not forgetting Old Kilpatrick and Bearsden North, who unfortunately are not mentioned in the official constituency title.

I shall not be seeking re-election in May due to personal circumstances. This was a decision I took very reluctantly, after a long period of reflection.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for the overwhelming support over the years while representing this constituency, which I am very grateful for.

Of course, being elected back in 1999 to the re-convened Scottish Parliament, the first in 300 years, for someone like me who has believed my whole life in Scottish independence, was a wonderful moment in my life.

In the short time of the Scottish Parliament, I think most people appreciate the changes for the good of Scotland that the parliament has achieved, and being a part of that has been a responsibility and privilege that I am very proud of.

Read more: OPINION Gil Paterson MSP: Our incredible efforts aren’t over yet

There are always ups and downs in politics but there is no doubt that the coronavirus crisis is the worst episode that I have ever experienced. The global pandemic has offered up a massive challenge to every country in the world and it’s not over yet.

Although my parliamentary office, like many others, has been in lockdown since March, with staff working from home, my staff and I have been dealing with an unprecedented level of enquiries from constituents.

There are two notable aspects to highlight. Although we have had to deal with thousands of enquiries from constituents, the public have been extremely understanding, patient and very supportive of our efforts. That is not to say that they were not deeply worried, because they were.

The second aspect I want to highlight is the assistance I have had from West Dunbartonshire Council throughout the crisis, which has been outstanding.

West Dunbartonshire Council, like every other local authority in Scotland, had to react almost overnight to this emergency, and in my opinion they have been immensely effective in their actions.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them, and their staff for their assistance and efforts to serve and protect our communities at this hugely challenging time, for which I am extremely grateful.