A CAMPAIGN to keep Barrhead inside East Renfrewshire stepped up a gear a decade ago.

The Boundary Commission for Scotland was proposing to remove Barrhead from the East Renfrewshire Scottish Parliamentary constituency.

At the time, local MSP Ken Macintosh said: “I have yet to meet anyone from Barrhead who thinks it is a good idea to remove it from the East Renfrewshire Scottish Parliamentary boundary.

“Local residents successfully campaigned for a public inquiry and they will now have the opportunity to put forward their reasons for keeping the current boundary.

“The arguments of local residents will prove vital in ensuring that Barrhead remains in East Renfrewshire.

“I would urge anyone who feels strongly to go along and make their views known.”

Barrhead Community Council also supported the inquiry as a means to generate public debate on the issue.

Members said they hoped Barrhead would continue to have a strong political voice in whatever constituency it found itself in.

Local residents were also quick to add their views.

Bill Galt said: “I think it’s very important to keep Barrhead in East Renfrewshire. At present, all the services in East Renfrewshire – local MSP and MP, council, health and education – work together and provide a good service.

“The boundary change could affect this.”

Anna Klimek added: “We have great contact with our MSP Ken Macintosh, MP Jim Murphy and council because they have same boundary.”