A senior Neilston councillor defeated at the last Scottish Parliament election is bidding to get a ride into Holyrood on the Labour List.
Paul O’Kane is currently the deputy leader of East Renfrewshire Council, where he has served for eight years.
He has lodged his bid for the Holyrood list for the West of Scotland with Scottish Labour.
Paul lost out in a fierce battle for Renfrewshire South in 2016, beaten into second spot by SNP victor Tom Arthur.
But he has already been selected to stand as the labour candidate for the same constituency.
And it will be a rematch in May as Tom Arthur will try to hang onto the seat, a former Labour stronghold.
Paul’s dad Frank was caught on camera last time around in Neilston’s Main Street removing SNP posters of Nicola Sturgeon.
In launching his bid for the Labour List, Paul said: “I was brought up with the idea that you’re as good as anyone but better than no one.
“The values of standing up for what is right; of solidarity with others; and never passing by on the other side when someone needs help were instilled in me from an early age.”
Paul represents the Newton Mearns North and Neilston council ward.
The ex- pupil of St Luke’s High in Barrhead still lives in Neilston.
He’s also fighting to be number one on the Labour roster for the West of Scotland area - giving him two potential routes to Edinburgh
The politician is East Renfrewshire’s education convenor and says: “At school I had great teachers who told me that change is always possible and to never just simply accept things the way they are.
“In our communities, too many young people are being left behind and too many people are just getting by, not getting on.
“That makes me angry. I am standing to be an MSP to serve hard working people across West Scotland and to help change our communities for the better.
“People are crying out for change and we need to make that happen as we recover from this unprecedented and difficult time.”
