🗳️ On 7 May 2026, use your regional list vote for Scottish Liberal Democrats in Central Scotland & Lothians West
Paul
McGarry
Scottish Liberal Democrat Candidate · Central Scotland & Lothians West Regional List
Housing and Homelessness Spokesperson. Father of four. Kinship carer. I have lived the challenges that too many families face across Central Scotland and Lothians West, and I am standing to bring that experience, and that commitment, to Holyrood.
Central Scotland & Lothians West Regional List
Experience that
matters
My politics comes from real life, not from a career in Westminster or a policy unit. It comes from experience.
I am a father of four, a kinship carer, a community advocate, and a lifelong campaigner for fairness and opportunity. I have made the Central Belt my home, and I am proud to stand as the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Central Scotland and Lothians West.
I grew up in a single-parent family on one of Cornwall's most deprived estates. We relied on benefits, and at times my family was involved in the care system. When I was 16, I became homeless. That experience shaped my values entirely. It showed me how fragile security can be, how quickly people fall through the cracks, and how much it matters to have someone in your corner.
At 18, I took up a youth work apprenticeship in Scotland, moved to Paisley, and spent years working with young people in some of the country's most deprived communities, in Shortroods, Ferguslie Park, Lanark, Motherwell, East Kilbride, Falkirk, and Hamilton. I saw what good community investment could achieve, and I saw what happened when the funding was cut.
As funding for youth work declined, I moved into the private sector, working in business development and strategic growth roles. But my values never changed. I have continued to volunteer in my community, hold a trustee role in the housing sector, and remain as committed to public service as I have ever been.
My political journey began when I started challenging cuts to local youth services. I joined the Scottish Liberal Democrats because I found a party that spoke up for people like me. Since then I have dedicated myself to making politics more inclusive, more representative, and more grounded in the realities of everyday life. I have stood in elections across the Central Belt, consistently building the Liberal Democrat vote and putting the party on the map in communities where we were barely on the radar.
I am not a career politician. I am someone who has lived through the very challenges I am standing to address. I believe that is exactly the kind of representation the Central Belt needs at Holyrood.
Alongside my campaigning, I served as Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference Convenor for eight years, modernising how the party engages its members, introducing virtual conferences, Mini Motions, and a "Pay What You Can" registration scheme. I hold the MCIM designation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and have guest lectured at Scottish universities on community engagement and participation.
See My Key Issues
Key Issues
Rooted in lived experience, focused on practical change for families across the Central Belt.
Everyone deserves a safe home
Having experienced homelessness myself at 16, this is deeply personal to me. Scotland needs bold action on housing supply, tenants' rights, and support for those at risk.
- Rapid action on homelessness prevention
- Stronger protections for private renters
- Investment in social housing supply
- Reform of fleecehold and factoring
No child left behind
Scotland's child poverty targets are at risk. I believe we must do far more to support families who are struggling, including carers and kinship families like my own.
- Strengthen the Scottish Child Payment
- Better support for kinship carers
- Free school meals and activities
- Early intervention investment
Investing in young people
My career began in youth work and I've seen first-hand what happens when youth services are cut. Young people need opportunity, not austerity.
- Restore and protect youth work funding
- Mental health support in schools
- Pathways from care to opportunity
- Community spaces and social infrastructure
A fair economy that works for all
The Central Belt has huge economic potential. I want to see investment in skills, green jobs, and the kind of local economy that gives everyone a chance.
- Support for small and medium businesses
- Green jobs and just transition
- Skills and apprenticeship investment
- Closing the pay and opportunity gap
Action on the climate emergency
As Liberal Democrats, environmental action is at the heart of everything we do. Scotland must lead on the green transition in a way that's fair for all communities.
- Ambitious net-zero targets
- Green heating and insulation for homes
- Active travel investment
- Protecting Scotland's natural environment
Valuing carers and communities
As a kinship carer, I know how much carers contribute and how little support they often receive. Palliative care, mental health, and social care all need sustained investment.
- Carer support reform
- Properly funded palliative care
- Mental health waiting time targets
- Social care workforce pay and conditions
Scottish Parliament Election · 7 May 2026
Use your regional list vote for
Scottish Liberal Democrats
In Central Scotland & Lothians West, your second vote on the regional list is your most powerful vote. It is how you send Paul McGarry to Holyrood to fight for this region.
Your regional list vote elects additional MSPs proportionally. In Central Scotland & Lothians West, it is the vote that counts for Paul.
Grounded in experience.
Focused on change.
"Politics should be in the service of people, not the other way round. My goal is to make sure that everyone in this region gets the support they need to thrive."
Central Scotland and Lothians West deserves a representative who understands the pressures that families, carers, young people, and communities are under. I do not bring that understanding from policy papers or briefing notes. I bring it from lived experience of poverty, housing insecurity, and navigating a system that does not always make it easy to get back on your feet.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats offer something distinct: a progressive, community-focused politics that puts people first, holds all parties to account, and refuses to take communities for granted. I want to bring that values-led approach to Holyrood and make sure the voices of this region are heard clearly.
Lived experience of the issues that matter
From housing insecurity to the care system, I know what these challenges feel like. That shapes every policy position I take.
A proven record of party building
As Conference Convenor for eight years, election campaigner across Central Scotland, and party activist, I know how to organise, motivate, and deliver.
Deep roots in Central Scotland
I've stood in elections across this region for years. I know our communities, their strengths, and what they need from their politicians.
A strong track record of representing communities
From housing advocacy to youth services, I have spent decades campaigning for the people and communities of the Central Belt, and I will bring that same commitment to Holyrood.
Fighting the rise of the right
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are the clearest anti-populist, pro-community voice in Scottish politics. I intend to make that case loudly and clearly.
Central Scotland & Lothians West
needs a Liberal Democrat voice
On 7 May 2026, give your regional list vote to the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Vote for stronger communities, fairer housing, investment in young people, and a politics that puts people before party. Vote Paul McGarry. Vote Scottish Liberal Democrat.
Get Involved in the Campaign →Let's Talk
Whether you want to share your views, ask about the campaign, or get involved, I'd love to hear from you.
Good representation begins with listening. Whether you want to raise an issue affecting your community, find out more about the campaign, or get involved as a volunteer or supporter, I would be glad to hear from you.
Send Paul a Message
The best way to get in touch is directly by email. Whether you want to raise a local issue, get involved in the campaign, or invite Paul to a community event, he would love to hear from you.
Email Paul directly →paul@paulmcgarry.org