The former Keil School pupil was picked by SNP members in the area, beating Glasgow business woman Suzanne McLaughlin, Alannah Maurer, and James Robb.

First elected as a councillor in May 2012, Cllr Robertson grew up in a political household, with her father Iain Robertson another former SNP election candidate, and got involved in the SNP branch in Dumbarton when she was just 17, the first year of the Scottish Government elections. Now, 32, Cllr Robertson has spent almost half her life on the campaign trail.

The hard work is to begin right away as Cllr Robertson admits standing against Labour stalwart Jackie Baillie will be no easy feat.

She told the Reporter: “Winning next year will not be an easy task, whilst we have seen success in the general election this year, and have great foundations to build on, this campaign will be very different.

“We will have to work harder than ever if we are to secure a win. To unseat a sitting MSP who has served for such a long time is a challenge but one that I think the SNP, local team and I are more than capable of achieving.” Cllr Robertson has laid out her hopes for the area, in the face of austerity. She said: “We live in an area that has suffered greatly during the recession and at the hands Westminster’s austerity, yet we have so much potential. This has been overlooked too often in the past, or overlooked for the sake of political point scoring.

“Sadly much of our talent has to go elsewhere to succeed. I want to see local opportunities for local people, keeping friends and families close to home and within the community. The decline of our economy has to be reversed if there is to be real change.

“The SNP have a positive record of delivery over the past eight years and there is so much more we can still achieve.

“Next year’s election is our opportunity as a party to offer the people of the Dumbarton constituency a positive change, a new voice and one that believes wholeheartedly in the potential we have right hear on our doorstep.

“I will listen to the electorate and take action to address these issues. I will proudly campaign for the recognition and change we so desperately need.” Cllr Robertson’s team have mobilised and will canvass the Dumbarton constituency which includes Helensburgh for votes in the run up to May 2016.

She added: “I’m very fortunate to have had that support every step of the way throughout the selection process and I know that support will be there for me all the way to the election next year.” SNP MP for the area Martin Docherty has also backed Robertson’s campaign.

He said: “I have known Gail for a number of years. As councillor she has excelled in developing relationships in the community and has a very real grasp of the issues that blight our area.

“She has shown real commitment as a campaigner and also determination to succeed. Combined with her local knowledge, I am confident she would be an outstanding MSP for the Dumbarton constituency”.