Grandad would be saddened by state of politics

Joani says Red Clydesider would not have approved of toxic divides

- CHIRIS McCALL

LEGENDARY trade unionist Jimmy Reid would be “saddened” by the polarisation in Scottish politics today, his granddaughter has said. 

Joani Reid, the Labour candidate for East Kilbride at the next general election, described the town as a “sleeping giant ”with enormous potential.

The mum of two moved back to Scotland after spending eight years as a councillor in London to be nearer to her family.

She was close to her grandad, who died in 2010, while growing up in the southside of Glasgow.

Jimmy achieved international fame in 1971 when he co-led a successful campaign to fight the closure of shipyards along the Upper Clyde.

He twice failed to become an MP in the 70s after standing for both the Communist party and Labour.