About Joe

Early life and background

Born in Lanarkshire in 1987, Joe is a lifelong resident of East Kilbride. While growing up in the town, he worked in retail and was a founding member of the East Kilbride Fairtrade Group. He graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2009 and entered elected politics in 2017 as a local councillor for East Kilbride Central North. In 2018, he became Leader of South Lanarkshire Labour and in 2022 led his councillors into power with Independent and Liberal Democrat councillors.

In local government

During his time in local government, Joe’s work centred on public services and infrastructure. He successfully led the campaign to upgrade the East Kilbride rail line and secured cross-party support for greater public control over local bus services. As Council Leader, Joe championed Master Plans to revitalise the town centres of both East Kilbride and Hamilton. He also secured South Lanarkshire’s status as a Marmot Places pilot to actively tackle local health inequalities.

Under his leadership, the council delivered major investments in refurbished gym and leisure facilities — including funding for a replacement Larkhall Leisure Centre. His administration introduced free swimming for under-16s while maintaining the lowest Council Tax in Scotland. By partnering closely with trade unions, Joe helped ensure that South Lanarkshire’s home care workforce became the best paid in Britain. He also chaired South Lanarkshire’s Community Planning Partnership and the Community Wealth Building Commission.

In the Scottish Parliament

Now serving as an MSP, Joe proudly represents well over half a million people across a vast region — an area including much of South Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Borders, and parts of Midlothian.

Political interests

Joe’s core political interests include public services, local government, transport, energy, and economic development. He is also an advocate for stronger, mutually beneficial economic links between the local economies of South Scotland and Europe.