Suzanne MacLeod says she wants to make things better for people in Airdrie, Shotts and the villages around.
(Image: Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser)
Suzanne MacLeod is standing for the first time for the constituency of Airdrie – but that does not mean she is a newbie to the campaign trail, far from it.
Her mum, Rosemary McKenna, 84, was Labour MP for the neighbouring constituency of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth for 13 years, and before that a councillor and Provost and leader of COSLA.
“We would be out campaigning in all weathers,” recalled Suzanne.
“I remember working on Donald Dewar’s by-election in Garscadden in the 1970s. I was totally taken by the excitement of it all. It was a great time to be young and alive.”
Suzanne dates her years in the Labour Party from that time. She did not enter politics like her mum, but instead devoted her working life to others in central and local government.
Most recently she has worked with local businesses and young people helping to create apprenticeships and advocating for work experience places using her skills as a professional mediator.
That means she is not only well aware of the needs in North Lanarkshire but she also has a lengthy background of grass roots community activity in the area.
She is a trustee of a food bank, chair of Cumbernauld Community Board and has committed to trying to get better transport solutions for many of the small villages in the Airdrie constituency.
She said: “I really want to make a difference, to influence the heart of government and make things better for people in Airdrie, Shotts and the villages around. I am the only woman candidate in this constituency and I think women bring a different approach to representation.
”They are far more willing to listen to everyone and to bring a more co-operative approach to solving a problem and that is important.
“I want to represent everyone – I think men’s mental health problems have particularly emerged recently and rural transport is a difficult challenge in this constituency.
“But I’m also keen to promote access to affordable childcare which will allow women to get into the workforce along with quality childcare. At the moment access to healthcare is something that affects us all and needs to be addressed.
“I am not a career politician – I am someone who has lived in a community and has been affected by the same problems everyone else is having to cope with.”
Her mum is well aware of what lies ahead – should Suzanne’s challenge be successful. It is not an easy road deciding to throw your hat into the political arena. For women it can be a particularly hard journey.
“You have to toughen up and develop a thick skin,” she said. “There is no point in caving in at the first hurdle. But I know she can do it. Suzanne comes from a long line of working class women who campaigned for what they believed in.”
Rosemary was once described as Stalin’s daughter – something which causes her to raise a smile these days.
And well she may because in Airdrie they will not be getting her – but Rosemary’s daughter.
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