Local MSP, Jackson Carlaw has warned that there are just “days to save Eastwood” as a distinct geographical constituency for elections to the Scottish Parliament.
Last month, Boundaries Scotland – an advisory Non-Departmental public body - published proposals for the composition of constituencies at the next scheduled Holyrood Election in May 2026, as part of a review process that is carried out every 8-12 years.
If implemented, the plans would result in the abolition of Eastwood and the local communities of the parliamentary seat would join with different constituencies.
Giffnock, Thornliebank, Clarkston, Busby and Netherlee would be merged with areas including Priesthill, Darnley and Nitshill in a new Glasgow, Priesthill and Giffnock constituency.
Newton Mearns, Waterfoot and Eaglesham would be added to a revised Renfrewshire South constituency with communities such as Howwood, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch.
People can register their views on the plans by completing an online survey at Boundaries Scotland website via - https://consult.boundaries.scot/reviews/2nd_review_scottish_parliament_boundaries/
Individuals are also able to write to the Commission at Boundaries Scotland, Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD or e-mail comments to [email protected]
Mr Carlaw is encouraging local people to increase the prospects of Eastwood remaining as a parliamentary seat by participating in the consultation and opposing the plans to break-up the constituency.
The deadline for submissions is Saturday 17th June.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“I am astonished that plans have been brought forward to take Eastwood off the map as a distinct geographical boundary at Scottish Parliament Elections and I will be writing to Boundaries Scotland to make a comprehensive case for why the constituency must be retained.
“There is a unique sense of community between the local areas that combine to form Eastwood and residents make use of our joint facilities such as Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock, the Broomburn Shops in Newton Mearns and the Eastwood Health and Care Centre in Clarkston.
“One of the benchmarks for determining the composition of constituencies at Holyrood Elections is local authority boundaries.
“As all of Eastwood’s communities are part of East Renfrewshire Council, it seems illogical to change the existing situation where each belongs to the same parliamentary seat to one where they would be split up and placed in constituencies with areas belonging to different councils.
“There are now just days to save Eastwood and the more local people who formally object to Boundaries Scotland, the greater chance there is to achieve this outcome."