SNP challenge Labour to be available to local residents
Former Rab C Nesbitt star and East End resident, Elaine C Smith, has officially opened Glasgow Shettleston MSP, John Mason’s, new Parkhead Constituency Office.
The SNP MSP who pledged to open a shop front Constituency Office if elected, said he saw the new office as part of his “open, accessible and available” agenda. During his two years as the Member of the Westminster Parliament for Glasgow East, John Mason opened a highly visible shop front office on Shettleston Road, where he and his team of staff dealt with over 2,000 constituency cases.
In campaigning to win the city’s East End seat at Holyrood, John Mason pointed out that local Labour politicians often stand for election, and then quickly disappear into a business centre where no-one can see them.
The MSP’s new office is at Parkhead Cross, right across the road from St Michael’s Church and just along from Parkhead Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Speaking at the official opening of his office, local MSP John Mason said:
“My new, fully-staffed, Constituency Office is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, and open until 7pm on a Friday for constituents who wish to attend my evening surgery.
“During the election, I pledged to be open, accessible and available to my constituents. Every constituent can phone me at the office or on my mobile and anyone can visit my Constituency Office during the week. Similarly, I am committed to delivering local newsletters around the East End – not just during elections, but throughout the year – and keeping people up to date with my activities in Holyrood and the East End.
“It is a privilege to be the local MSP for Glasgow Shettleston and I am here to serve the people as best I can. We all know the East End has its problems and people need help with a variety of issues, be it housing, social work, education or health. My office is open and my staff and I are here to help”.
Meet the team
With John Mason speaking up for the East End in Holyrood three days a week, his team of staff continue to deal with the high volume of letters, phone calls, emails and constituents visiting the office. Currently working in the Glasgow Shettleston Parliamentary Office are:
Anne McGlinchey, Office Administrator
Originally from Duntocher, Anne joined the team in August 2011, having previously worked at the British Embassy in Paris as the PA to the Counsellor of Europe. Anne is responsible for the day-to-day running of the office and deals with casework, John’s diary and general administrative matters. In her spare time, Anne enjoys learning new languages and spending time with her family.
David Linden, Parliamentary Officer
Brought up in the East End and currently living in Garrowhill, David worked for John in his Shettleston office between 2008 and 2010 during his time as the Westminster MP. David is responsible for casework, media, research and political issues. Engaged to be married to Roslyn next June, he enjoys supporting Airdrie United and attending Glasgow Elim Church.
