SCOTTISH Tory councillor Thomas Kerr is standing to become an MP in Glasgow East as the UK prepares to go to the polls on July 4.
The Shettleston politician said he will “fight” for the people of Glasgow's east end in Westminster and claimed he isn’t afraid to go against his own party if he disagrees with them.
Others contending with Councillor Kerr for Glasgow East include the SNP’s David Linden (below), who is hoping to retain his seat and the Labour candidate John Grady.
Kerr, 27, said: “I got involved in politics and there was no-one who looked or sounded like me.
"I have never been to university. My background is two parents who struggled with drug addiction.
“There are some people who have the same background as me. Our backgrounds should not hold us back.”
READ MORE: General Election: Labour 'demand' SNP cut from TV debates
Entering politics when he was first elected at the age of 20 in 2017, he managed to hold his seat in 2022 despite his party’s standing in Glasgow City Council being decimated.
Commenting on the perception that the Conservatives can be viewed as elitist in working class areas of Glasgow, Kerr said the party is instead about “aspiration.”
Emphasising that the party in Scotland has their own identity, he said: “My argument is that the Scottish Conservatives are a completely different party.
“I am not a rich toff. I will put Glasgow East first.”
Asking people to judge his party on their record, Kerr pointed out Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced furlough during the pandemic.
Kerr (above) said: “The Conservative Party is about aspiration and opportunities. It doesn’t matter your background if you work hard and play by the rules you should be rewarded.”
Kerr said he would proudly walk in the east end with Sunak and wear a blue rosette even though he doesn’t agree with every Tory policy, adding it's impossible to get a “perfect party".
Kerr further said: “I will say it as it is. If that means challenging my party I am happy to do that. I’m a Glaswegian first, a Scot second and a Brit third.”
The Glasgow Conservative leader claimed his main competitor is Labour in the upcoming election.
He said: “I want to give them (Labour) a run for their money. I grew up in this area – I have seen what has happened.
"I will not let them walk into this seat and take people for granted.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel