Tories unveil candidate for Holyrood seat

David O'Leary • Published 13 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

LOCAL Conservatives have chosen former MP Peter Duncan as their candidate to fight next May’s Scottish Parliament election in the new constituency of Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.

For the upcoming election, the present seats of Midlothian and Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale are being abolished, with the creation of three new constituencies called Midlothian North and Musselburgh; Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire and Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.

Mr Duncan was chosen at a well attended meeting in Melrose on Monday August 9 and is looking forward to the campaign ahead.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been chosen to fight this contest and am looking forward to the challenge. The communities of Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale have a common sense that the Scottish Parliament has not yet delivered for them - I want to change that.

“My experience would give this constituency a strong voice in Parliament, and I’m committed to making a difference.

“Whether it is affordable housing provision, creating jobs for our young people or building for the long term care for the elderly - we face big local issues and need a big local voice for action.”

His selection was greeted by local councillor for Tweeddale East, Gavin Logan: “I’m delighted that we have selected someone of genuine quality who can lead our campaign for this constituency. We need the Scottish Parliament to deliver for this part of Scotland, and Peter is just the man to make that happen.”

Peter Duncan was an MP in Dumfries & Galloway until 2005 and served as chairman of the Scottish Conservatives until 2007. He is married and has two teenage children, and now lives in Earlston.

At next May’s Holyrood elections, Duncan will be looking to topple Lib Dem MSP Jeremy Purvis who has held the seat since 2003. Purvis was re-elected in 2007 with an increased majority and an increase of 3,500 votes over his total vote in 2003.

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 13 Aug 10

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