Human rights and health advocate tops Glasgow list for Lib Dems

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today announced that human rights activist and diabetes advocate Daniel O’Malley has topped the party’s list for the Glasgow region at the Scottish Parliament election next May.

Raised in Glasgow, Daniel’s family story is woven into the fabric of the city. His grandfather worked as a draughtsman on the Clyde, and his mother and father grew up, married and raised a family in Glasgow.

Previously, at Diabetes Scotland, he spearheaded the “Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait” campaign, securing £8.8 million in national funding for diabetes treatment and technology access.

As a former community councillor for Merchant City and Trongate, he fought to protect local public art and green spaces, and to ensure a fair deal for residents in the area.

After graduating in Politics and International Relations, Daniel went on to work as a researcher and teaching assistant in political science at the University of Glasgow. During his time at the John Smith Centre, he worked on improving access to politics for underrepresented young people. He now works for a human rights charity.

Daniel O’Malley said:

“Glasgow is a great city- it’s where I grew up, it’s my home, so it would be an immense privilege to serve the people and communities that make it so special.  

“But you only need to look at the epic waits for NHS treatment, or the boarded-up businesses in the city centre to see the years of neglect inflicted by SNP and Conservative governments. They have both been just as bad for Glasgow, holding back its potential.

“There is so much community, innovation and progress that underpins the story of this city; there is no reason why those same principles cannot underpin its future too.

“Fighting for a fair deal is what I do best, it’s what Liberal Democrats do best, and it’s that representation that Glasgow needs now, more than ever.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Whether it’s delivering vital health care for people with diabetes or standing up for those on the margins, Daniel is one of those people who dives right in and gets to work at fixing the problems that need fixing.

“He cares passionately about bringing down long waits for operations and ending hospital delays. He is bursting with ideas for supporting businesses, boosting the high streets and making sure everyone has a roof over their heads.

“The people of Glasgow deserve someone as tireless and as hands-on as Daniel, and they can make that happen next May by putting a cross beside the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the peach-coloured regional ballot paper.”