“EVERYONE who is not sunning themselves on a yacht right now, we are your party.” 

A clear message to voters from Labour’s Mercedes Villalba, talking to the Star ahead of the upcoming Holyrood election. 

For the Star’s readership who may be off sailing somewhere, this interview may not be for you. But for the rest, the Scottish party and its candidate say there is only one option for socialists on the ballot come May 6. 

Villalba only moved to Dundee 18 months ago, having lived in Scotland on and off since 2010. 

Initially getting involved with Labour as Jeremy Corbyn rose to leadership, the Holyrood candidate’s political history stretches beyond the party political, with a background in activism from her time involved with the trade union movement, tenants’ unions and the anti-cuts movement. 

This rooting in grassroots politics is something she believes is fundamental to the party she seeks to represent in the Scottish Parliament.

“I think it’s important to have a strong Labour Party in Holyrood to represent working-class interests. 

“When I say that I’m not just talking about the very poorest — although that is fundamental — I mean everyone who misses out because of the capitalist system.”

While she admits that it has been “tricky to get the lay of the land” — largely due to coronavirus restrictions — she says the problems facing Dundonians and those in the north-east are the same as those facing others across Britain.

The fact the 31-year-old does not hold a policy role within Anas Sarwar’s team does not seem to be deterring her, as she outlines to the Star her positions on key issues facing Scots, and what she’d like to do about them if elected. 

The potential for drug reforms, pushing for the removal of nuclear weapons from Scotland, implementing a right to food, rent controls and other reforms of the private rented housing sector are just some of the issues Villalba wants to tackle.

This may seem optimistic, but the prospective MSPs is clear that her colleagues within Labour have shown what can be done in Holyrood, saying that if she can achieve a “fraction of what Monica Lennon has” she would be happy.

A proud, self-described socialist, Villalba said it is very important to have left-wing MSPs in Parliament. 

When asked whether she sees this group of Labour candidates pursuing socialist policies in the next Holyrood term, she is unequivocal.

“Every single of us is a socialist from what I understand,” she says. “We are Scotland’s democratic socialist party and we have a brilliant basis for our manifesto from the policy forum from our members.

“It’s fundamental we not only have these voices, but that they speak out. I think it’s quite difficult because not just the majority of parliamentarians, but the majority of our press, and the public discourse, social norms, are not opposed to a capitalist system that pursues profit ahead of everything else.

“It feels weird saying that because you’re taught at school about things being fair, and the best things in life being free, yet there is an overwhelming complacency about capitalism and we see examples of that every day. 

“I think we’ve got the right approach with this campaign by talking about issues that affect people’s everyday lives, and then maybe moving to more radical changes.

“I feel very optimistic about Labour’s chances of being the main opposition. People are reacting positively to it and this idea that we are talking sense, all the parties have mentioned a recovery of some sorts but I think it’s clear that we are the only ones who mean it, will focus on it and make it our priority. 

“I think if we get into opposition we will completely change the discourse.

“I’m in the Labour Party because we are the political wing of the labour movement, and if I go to Parliament I’m going to represent the working class and I’m taking everyone from Dundee with me. 

“I think it’s important that everyone feels that they have a part to play and are heard in politics. If someone like me gets in, hopefully it means people will see they can have a voice too.”