Commons Deputy Speaker backs Paisley's bid to be UK City of Culture 2021
Last updated 2nd Aug 2017
The deputy speaker of the House of Commons has backed her home town's bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021.
Eleanor Laing MP, who was born in Paisley and grew up in the Renfrewshire area, said winning the honour could help the town rediscover its glory.
Paisley is the only Scottish contender shortlisted to be UK City of Culture 2021, and is up against Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.
Ms Laing, the Conservative MP for Epping Forest in Essex, was shown round the town by Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson together with the leader of the Conservative group on the council, James MacLaren.
She said: It is absolutely brilliant Paisley has been shortlisted to be UK City of Culture 2021.
I am passionately backing the bid because I know the impact it will make on Paisley. Not only have the people of Paisley got tremendous energy and enterprise skills, the town is full of potential.
I think a lot of people have forgotten what a beautiful town Paisley was in its heyday and I really believe we can help people to rediscover Paisley's glory.
Working together towards the 2021 bid will bring tremendous benefits to everybody of all ages and backgrounds from this wonderful town.''
Mr Nicolson, also chair of the Paisley 2021 partnership board, said: Since Paisley was announced as the only Scottish place on the shortlist, the town has had fantastic support from across the political spectrum and from various government agencies.''
After Paisley made the shortlist three weeks ago, the bid has been publicly supported by political figures including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, Conservative and Labour party leaders Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale, and Scottish Secretary David Mundell