Someone in your corner.
Paul McGarry
Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Kirkintilloch East, North and Twechar
Hi, I’m Paul. I’m a dad of four, a kinship carer and a volunteer youth worker, and I’m asking for your vote to be your councillor on East Dunbartonshire Council.
Kirkintilloch and Twechar have been without a Liberal Democrat councillor since Susan Murray was elected to Westminster. I’d like to put that right, and bring back the kind of local representation that answers messages, turns up and gets things done.
Council elections: [ADD DATE, May 2027]. [ADD how to vote and postal vote information nearer the time]
Why I’m standing
I became homeless at 16. I know how quickly things can fall apart, and how much it matters when someone is in your corner. That’s what I want to be for people in Kirkintilloch and Twechar.
I’ve lived it. I grew up in a single parent family relying on benefits, and I was homeless at 16. I don’t need a briefing note to understand what it’s like when the system lets people down.
I’ve worked with young people and communities for years. I started as a youth work apprentice at 18, and I still volunteer with young people through my local church.
I know how to turn a problem into a campaign. I’ve been a Liberal Democrat for around 17 years [CHECK], and I’ve spent a lot of that time organising and volunteering.
What I’ll work on first
These are my starting points, not a finished list. The most important priority is whatever matters most to you, so please tell me.
Young people and families
Good youth work changes lives. I’ve seen it and I’ve lived it. I want to protect the things young people and families rely on, from clubs and safe places to meet, to schools that have the support they need. [ADD a local club, school or building, and one real number]
Safe and secure homes
Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. The council has a legal duty to help people facing homelessness, and the best help comes early, before it turns into a crisis. I want tenants and families in Kirkintilloch and Twechar to get help in time. [ADD a local housing issue or story]
Getting around safely
Safe roads and pavements, reliable buses and safe routes to school matter to everyone, whatever your age. [ADD a specific road, crossing, bus route or pavement in the ward] [OPTIONAL: link to the school crossing patrollers campaign]
Services that give you value for your council tax
You should get good services for what you pay. I’ll ask hard questions about how the council spends your money, and I’ll always tell you where I stand and why. [ADD the current council tax figure and one local service example]
A councillor who is easy to find
A good councillor answers messages, turns up, and tells you what happened afterwards. I’ll hold regular surgeries [ADD dates and venues], reply to casework quickly and report back on what I’ve done.
Hello, I’m Paul
I’m a dad of four, a kinship carer and a volunteer youth worker. I live locally with my family, just down the road from Kirkintilloch and Twechar, and I’d be proud to represent both.
I grew up in a single parent family on one of the most deprived estates in Cornwall. We relied on benefits, and at times my family was involved in the care system. When I was 16, I became homeless.
That shaped everything. It showed me how fragile security can be, how easily people fall through the cracks, and how much it matters to have someone in your corner.
At 18 I took a youth work apprenticeship in Scotland and moved to Paisley. I spent years working with young people in places like Shortroods, Ferguslie Park, Motherwell and Falkirk. I saw what good investment in a community can do, and I saw what happens when the funding is cut.
When youth work funding shrank, I moved into business, working in business development and training. I never stopped volunteering though. I still work with young people through my local church, and I volunteer at Magnitude festival.
Challenging cuts to local youth services is what got me into politics. I joined the Liberal Democrats because I found a party that spoke up for people like me, and that was around 17 years ago [CHECK]. Since then I’ve given a lot of my time to making the party more open and welcoming, including as Vice Chair and as Conference Convenor [ADD YEARS YOU’RE HAPPY TO STAND BEHIND]. One thing I’m proud of is bringing in Pay What You Can pricing for conference, so that money wasn’t a barrier to taking part.
I’m not a career politician. Early on I was told that not having a degree was the reason I couldn’t get an interview for a junior job with MPs and MSPs. So I took the long way round, and I think I’m better for it.
In May 2026 I stood for the Scottish Parliament as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Central Scotland and Lothians West. Now I want to put that energy into the place on my doorstep.
- Standing for
- Kirkintilloch East, North and Twechar, East Dunbartonshire Council
- Party
- Scottish Liberal Democrats (Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats)
- Home
- Lenzie
- Family
- Dad of four, kinship carer
- Background
- Youth work, business development and training, community volunteering
- Professional
- Chartered Marketer (MCIM)
Your local team
I’m standing as part of the Dunbartonshire Liberal Democrats, alongside Susan Murray, MP for Mid Dunbartonshire, and Adam Harley, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden.
Latest news
[ADD first post. A short video introducing yourself or a walkabout in Kirkintilloch or Twechar would work well.]
Help me win in Kirkintilloch East, North and Twechar
Campaigns are won by neighbours talking to neighbours. Whatever time you’ve got, it makes a difference.
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Volunteer
Delivering leaflets, knocking on doors or helping behind the scenes.
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Take a poster
Show your support with a window poster.
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Donate
Donations pay for the leaflets and printing that let us reach every home in the ward.
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Stay in touch
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Join us
If you share these values, join the Liberal Democrats.
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Tell me what matters to you
If something in your street, your school or your neighbourhood needs sorting, tell me. I read every message, and I’d much rather hear about a problem early than late.
- [ADD contact form: name, address or postcode, message, and a tick box for updates]
- [ADD Facebook, X and Instagram links]
- [ADD surgery dates and venues, or a line on how to arrange a chat in person]