Gemma Doyle MP won her seat with a 17,408 majority at the 2010 election and is battling to retain it when the nation votes in May.

The former pupil of St Partrick’s Primary School and Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School joined the Labour Party aged 15 and is campaigning to oust the Tories from government at the election.

She said: “I don’t want five more years of the Tories. That’s what I hear most from people across West Dunbartonshire, and I feel exactly the same. The Tories have made life harder for people in West Dunbartonshire, not easier.

“Under David Cameron poverty is on the rise. Average families are £1,600 worse off. Prices have risen faster than wages for 52 of 53 months in office and unemployment in West Dunbartonshire is still twice as high as the UK average. And what has David Cameron done? He’s given millionaires a tax cut.

“So let me be clear, I believe that the Tory austerity programme is hurting, not helping Scotland. I have never, and will never support policies which balance the books of this country on the backs of the poorest people.” Born at the Vale of Leven Hospital and brought up in Dumbarton, she told The Reporter she ‘cares deeply’ about making life better for local residents.

She said: “I know what life is like for people in West Dunbartonshire. This is my home. I was born and raised here and I care deeply about making life here better, for everyone.

“That’s why I object to Police Scotland’s proposals to close our Police Headquarters in Dumbarton “It is why I am outraged that SNP Ministers are failing our NHS, ignoring the crisis in our A&E departments and refusing to deliver a new health centre in Clydebank.

“It’s why I had no hesitation in backing local parents who successfully overturned the decision to cut the school week.

“The Tories don’t care about people in West Dunbartonshire. I do. I know people want to see change, and the Labour party will deliver it.

“We will increase the national minimum wage, employ 1,000 more nurses in Scotland, stop energy bills going up, end exploitative zero hour contracts, give paid work to young people who are struggling to get a job, increase free child care, and we will scrap the bedroom tax for everyone.

“We’re going to make life fairer for people living in West Dunbartonshire. But we can only do it with your help. It’s the party with the most seats that will get to form the Government in May. Let’s make sure it’s not a Tory one.”