Local Politics

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Paisley and Renfrewshire North Constituency

Background of Paisley and Renfrewshire North

The postcode PA4 8XQ is located in Paisley and Renfrewshire North, a UK parliament constituency represented in the House of Commons by Gavin Newlands MP of the Scottish National party.

Paisley and Renfrewshire North, established in 2005, is a UK parliamentary constituency situated in Scotland, covering northern parts of Renfrewshire, including the towns of Paisley, Renfrew, and parts of Inchinnan, Erskine, Bishopton, and Langbank. The constituency was created from portions of the former Paisley North and West Renfrewshire constituencies.

Historically, Paisley and Renfrewshire North has seen a strong representation from the Labour Party. Douglas Alexander held the seat from its inception until 2015, serving as part of Labour's shadow cabinet. However, the political landscape shifted significantly in the 2015 general election when Mhairi Black of the Scottish National Party (SNP) won the seat, marking a transition that exemplified the SNP's surge across Scotland in that election cycle.

Demographically, the constituency comprises a mix of suburban and semi-rural areas, with a broad spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds. It includes working-class communities with traditional ties to heavy industry, as well as more affluent suburban areas. The local economy historically centred on manufacturing, although in recent years, service industries and retail have become more prominent.

Electoral data indicates significant political engagement, with the electorate comprising a diverse range of views reflective of the constituency's varied socio-economic landscape.

On Brexit, Renfrewshire, like much of Scotland, predominantly voted to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum, aligning with Scotland's overall remain stance. This sentiment has often been reflected in the constituency's political discourse, with current representation by the SNP, which has consistently advocated for pro-European policies and opposed the UK’s departure from the EU.

Paisley and Renfrewshire North is a constituency distinguished by its dynamic political shifts and diverse demographic and economic characteristics.

Brexit

Did Paisley and Renfrewshire North vote for Brexit?

In the 2016 EU referendum, the constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire North voted to leave the EU. The area, like many others in Scotland, had concerns over issues such as sovereignty, immigration, and the perceived lack of control over decision-making in Brussels. Some voters in the constituency also felt disillusioned with the political establishment and saw Brexit as an opportunity to shake things up. Additionally, longstanding grievances with the EU's policies on farming and fishing may have influenced the decision to vote leave. a complex mix of factors likely played a role in shaping the outcome in Paisley and Renfrewshire North.