Fred Mackintosh has been campaigning for a better deal for his community in South Edinburgh for fifteen years. After a five year local campaign he was elected as Liberal Democrat Councillor for Newington in 1999. In 2007 he stood down to concentrate his effort on his campaign to become Edinburgh South's next MP.
Fred joined the Liberal Democrats as a student at Edinburgh University in 1990. He was the architect of the eight year campaign to elect Mike Pringle as the first Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South in May 2003. Mike was re-elected in 2007 with an increased majority over Labour whilst the Tories slipped down to fourth place in the constituency.
Fred has a record of successful campaigning to protect playing fields and green space, deliver improved public transport and support effective crime prevention activity. On 20 November 2007 he and Mike Pringle were delighted to open the brand new Conan Doyle Medical Centre alongside a restored Liberton Bank House following a seven year campaign to save the childhood home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from demolition by McDonalds.
Whilst a City Councillor Fred led for the Liberal Democrats on Transport in Edinburgh. He successfully opposed the flawed Edinburgh congestion charge scheme in favour of the policy of delivering a world-beating integrated tram and bus network for the city. This is now being delivered by the Liberal Democrat-led City Council.
Fred continues to campaign for a better deal for South Edinburgh. In recent months he has been working hard to build the case the retain local sub post offices under threat from Labour closure plans. Despite the decision to close Marchmont's popular Warrender Park Road Post Office Fred and Mike have continued to work hard to support the local business community as Labour's recession bites.
Outside politics, Fred practices as an Advocate mainly in the field of criminal law. He lives in the constituency with his wife Angela and their three children.
