The local community have been urged to come along to a public meeting with MSP Richard Leonard in Stranraer on Monday and find out more about his vision and ambitions for Scotland and put their questions to the Scottish Labour Leader.

Richard will be joined by South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Connectivity and Transport Colin Smyth on his visit to Wigtownshire where he will meet a number of community groups.

The Scottish Labour leader will kick off his tour with a visit to the Stena Line port at Cairnryan, which will include a meeting with the A77 Action Group to find out more about the local campaign to secure badly needed investment in the trunk road.

He’ll then head to the Mull of Galloway to meet with members of the Community Trust who secured community ownership of the Mull, Scotland’s most southerly point and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Mr Leonard will then meet with members of the Galloway Hospital Action Group in Stranraer to discuss the NHS recruitment crisis before visiting the town centre and waterfront to find out more about regeneration plans in the town, ahead of a public meeting in the evening.

Richard Leonard said, “Under my Leadership I’m determined Scottish Labour will be the party that stands up for all of Scotland, north and south, urban and rural. Too often communities such as Wigtownshire can feel forgotten about by Governments’ in Edinburgh and London and the big challenges the area faces are just not being addressed by either.  I’m really looking forward to touring the area to meet with local residents to find out more about those challenges and how together we can build the positive future many communities like Wigtownshire want to see”.

South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, Connectivity and Transport Colin Smyth said, “I’m delighted that Richard is making his second visit to Dumfries and Galloway in the last few weeks. Richard knows there is real community spirit and determination in communities such as Wigtownshire to make our area better but that needs better support from Government. I hope members of the public will take the opportunity to come along and listen to what Richard has to say about his vision how he is determined to deliver a Scotland for the many, not the few”.