Scottish Election 2021: Edinburgh Western deserves a diligent MSP who can work with SNP government and council – Sarah Masson

I want to deliver for Edinburgh Western. You deserve an MSP who works hard for you, focused on getting improvements for our area, not just someone that grandstands.

Undoubtably this election is rooted in the impact that Covid has had on every aspect of our lives – having the best people representing and leading us through and out of the pandemic has never been more crucial.

We need the serious, experienced hand of Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership at the wheel, the ambitious SNP programme to kick-start the recovery. Once the Covid crisis is over, we deserve a choice over Scotland’s future so we can have the full powers needed to make sure our recovery from Covid builds a better, fairer place for us all.

But the election is also about making sure you have an MSP you can trust will listen and represent your voice constructively with all levels of government. Working with the SNP teams in our council and the Scottish government, I can best deliver for you and your family.

Over the last four years, the SNP-led council has delivered substantial benefits for Edinburgh Western. Real changes that are making a difference to so many.

We’ve seen the new Queensferry High School, £100m in roads investment, £7.5m to upgrade the Muirhouse tower blocks, huge investment in Pennywell, delivering hundreds of new affordable and council houses, the new Burnshot Bridge, the commitment to make our city a net-zero capital and a council tax freeze – to name just a few!

All of this is possible because the SNP-led council works with the SNP government to get things done. One missing component to date is an effective MSP working constructively for what matters most to you.

Nicola Sturgeon takes a selfie while campaigning in South Queensferry (Picture: Andy Buchanan/pool/Getty Images)

As your SNP candidate, I’ve had regular discussions with decision-makers about key issues and I’ve been surprised how often I hear that they have rarely had contact from the current MSP.

You deserve better, someone who will work hard for you, not just play politics with the issues that you need fixed.

We need action and investment if we’re to tackle the traffic in our community, deal with local pressure from new developments, tackle anti-social behaviour and protect and improve our local environments. For me, these issues are not things I want to make political capital out of, I just want to fix them.

I got into politics to help people, not to just shout.

It’s by working constructively with the government and the council that we can get the best for West Edinburgh.

I know people feel let down that their MSP hasn’t been effective. That disappointment is very real for our EU nationals. They have been abandoned by the Lib Dems, who no longer campaign to re-join the EU, abandoning the rights of our fellow citizens. I won’t do that.

Whether you’re an EU national, you vote for me or not, you live in Dalmeny or Drylaw, if you elect me as your MSP, I’ll focus relentlessly on making our communities better places.

Sarah Masson is the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Western

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