SNP leader John Swinney brings battle bus to Falkirk and The Kelpies
With two weeks ago until the polls open for the Scottish Parliament elections the SNP’s battle bus rolled into town earlier today.
Leader John Swinney was making a flying visit to meet local candidates and party supporters when he stopped off at The Helix Park in sight of The Kelpies.
The SNP were quick to point out that they had obtained permission in advance for Mr Swinney to visit and be photographed after Reform UK and its leader Malcolm Offord were asked to leave the week before as they didn’t have permission.
Greeting him during his whistle-stop visit was Falkirk West candidate Gary Bouse, alongside Martyn Day who is contesting the Falkirk East and Linlithgow constituency.
Mr Swinney also met with the the leader of the SNP administration on Falkirk Council, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, along with other party members, all delighted that the party’s leader was in town, albeit briefly.
During his time chatting to SNP followers he reiterated the key priorities from the SNP manifesto, including healthcare, Scottish independence, and reducing the cost of living.
His visit came the day after a hustings in the Falkirk West constituency where six candidates were grilled by voters on policies and what they would do if elected to represent the constituency at Holyrood.
Scotland goes to the polls on Thursday, May 7 with the polls open from 7am to 10pm – check your polling card as some polling stations in the Falkirk area have changed.
Counting of votes for both the Falkirk constituencies will take place at Grangemouth Sports Complex on May 8.
Candidates for Falkirk West are:
Neil Benny (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
Gary Bouse (Scottish National Party – SNP)
Richard Fairley (Reform UK)
Paul Godzik (Scottish Labour Party)
Stuart McArthur (Independent)
Lucy Smith (Scottish Liberal Democrats).
Falkirk East and Linlithgow candidates are:
Amanda Bland (Reform UK)
Martyn Day (Scottish National Party – SNP)
Ian El-Paget (Independent)
Paul McGarry (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
Siobhan Paterson (Scottish Labour Party)
Lewis Stein (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)