Lib Dem local champions offering positive change for the South of Scotland
As he campaigns in Peebles today, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton unveiled the party’s full sweep of candidates for the South of Scotland, and urged voters to use their second, peach-coloured ballot paper to back them at next May’s election.
Alex will be campaigning alongside Duncan Dunlop, who tops the South of Scotland regional list for the party.
Duncan is a successful chief executive and experienced youth worker specialising in care system reform. With 25+ years working with vulnerable young people and developing charities across the UK and internationally, he led Who Cares? Scotland for almost a decade, transforming it into a globally respected advocacy organisation and initiating the Scottish Care Review (2017).
Ray Georgeson, who is standing alongside Duncan Dunlop on the list, is an award-winning recycling campaigner, and currently works as a senior manager in a major Scottish environmental organisation. He is also an experienced former local councillor and council leader.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat list for the South Scotland region is as follows:
- Duncan Dunlop, who is also standing in the seat of Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.
- Ray Georgeson, who is also standing in the seat of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
- Aisha Mir, who is also standing in the seat of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.
- Richard Brodie, who is also standing in the seat of Clydesdale.
- Charlotte Olcay.
- Michael Gregori, who is also standing in the seat of Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley.
- Tracey Warman, who is also standing in the seat of Galloway and West Dumfries.
Ian MacDonald will be the party’s candidate for Dumfriesshire, Leigh Butler for East Kilbride, Des Buchanan for Ayr and Karen Utting for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Duncan Dunlop, who tops the party’s list for the South Scotland region, said:
“Whether it’s GPs and dentists being run into the ground, or the uncertainty facing farmers and the bills squeezing households, people in the South of Scotland feel like things aren’t working.
“I want to bring power back to communities and deliver change for people across the region.
“Getting things done is at the core of who I am. We’ve got a clear, realistic plan to get everyone first-rate healthcare when they need it, to bring down bills, to fix the state of our public transport and get Scottish education back to its best.
“Next May, everyone in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire can make those plans a reality by marking a cross beside the Scottish Liberal Democrats on their second, peach-coloured, regional ballot paper.”
Ray Georgeson, who is second on the party’s list for the South Scotland region, said:
“From agriculture to small businesses, the South of Scotland has so much going for it. But people here are tired and frustrated- they deserve better.
“Whether it’s the SNP, Labour or the Conservatives, governments in Edinburgh and London act like they are on a different planet from the people in this region.
“Only the Scottish Liberal Democrats are offering change with fairness at its heart: getting everyone access to a GP, dentist or mental health professional when they need them, bringing down sky-high energy bills, fixing our roads and public transport and making sure every child gets the best start in life.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:
“It’s great to be campaigning in Peebles today and showing people in the South of Scotland what we’re offering: change with fairness at its heart.
“No matter where you are in the region, a vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on that second, peach-ballot at next May’s election, will be a vote to demand better.
“With your peach ballot, you can back our plans to fix the broken state of rural healthcare, to cut household bills and to get the South of Scotland moving again.
“If you want local champions like Duncan and Ray, who will leave no stone unturned in delivering for their communities, you should put a cross beside the Scottish Liberal Democrats on your peach ballot paper next May.”